#it's 9am and i just woke up w him next to me in bed i could stay like this 4ever <33

[songtwo]

ahhh the way you talk about your bf is how i feel about mine. so so good to find someone who is so kind and generous and loving. it's actually unreal how lucky i feel to be with him. it's nice to see someone feel the same way abt their bf bc sometimes i feel like I'm surrounded by people who lowkey hate their partners T-T

anyway. when you know you're gonna be together forever you just Know & that's the best feeling. i'm glad you're in love & happy. wishing you both the best ♡♡♡

omg i get u i literally have never known a single couple that actually loves each other which is partially why i had stopped believing in love before him. but it really is the best feeling loving & being loved in return and knowing it's real and forever and I'm so glad u feel that way too!!!!! it's so nice to have so much love to give and have someone to give it to :') wishing u guys the best as well!!!!<3333333

[aaakikoo]

Low effort scenarios with my favorite fictional man. Bakugou.

an -> low effort is what I do best lmao, I hope you enjoy this. I have alresdy done these with more effort put in them 😭 I’ll list some below.

here and here.

another an -> requests currently open, or if you want to send ideas, thirsts or suggestions feel free to do that too. Comments and rblogs r appreciated!

paring -> k.Bakugou x f!reader

warnings -> language, idk tell me if there is any other.

———

1. NOT SHARING HIS RAMEN WITH YOU

“Babe please just one bite” you said as the blond was slurping on his noodles. “Fuck off, get your own.”

“You made the last pack! I am not heading to the store for a packet of noodles!” You said in defense but he didn’t seem to care as he continued chewing.

“Babe please!” You held him by the shoulders as you whined further. “I said no.” He said taking another bite.

“Fine.” You huffed and sat your ass back down on the couch. after Bakugou had finished slurping and munching on his noodles he came and sat with you on the couch.

At first you didn’t pay him any mind until he made a mistake and placed his arm around your waist.

You quickly slapped his arm away. “I’m mad at you.” You said leaving the living room and heading to your shared bedroom.

On your way you heard him scoff but you didn’t care.

A few minutes later he came in to apologize but it wasn’t successful.

“Why do I have to apologize after eating something I ate, and paid for? Do I have to share everything with you.” He asked in annoyance.

“Well you could’ve gave me one singular bite!” You said in defense and he scoffed and left the room annoyed at your behavior.

About half an hour later he came in, this time you didn’t bother to look at him. He didn’t say anything either, he came in and picked you off of the bed.

“W-what? Hey, what are you doing??” You asked surprised, no answer. “Put me down!” Still no answer.

He walked downstairs and headed to the kitchen placing you on one of the island chairs.

“What are-“ you words were swallowed up as you saw what was in front of you.

“Stop being mad at me now okay?”

He had bought you more noodles, made them for you, cut you fresh vegetables to have with, seasoned it, and put chopsticks on the side for you to eat.

You didn’t replay, only offering him a little hidden smile as you began munching.

The man still sat across from you on the island. “Thank you. Best boyfriend ever.”

“Huge mood swing.”

2. BUYING FOR YOU

It was a Sunday afternoon and you were both chilling on the couch.

Tomorrow was your day off so you were in a good mood, scrolling on whatever expensive brands site, checking out their latest drops and most hottest items.

Also Bakugou told you he will be taking you out after his shift, by 7pm. So you were trying to see if you could make a steal for the date.

Currently, Bakugou’s eyes were glued on the tv and your eyes were glued on your phone.

The guy in the show Bakugou is watching had made a pretty funny joke and Bakugou looked down at you to see if you had catched that.

Instead he finds you eyeing a dark red pair of high pump heels. He saw you like it and add it to your list and he thought that was it.

He continued watching the series like nothing happened and you closed your phone and now focusing on the tv.

The next day you woke up to an empty bed like always when it is your day off, currently 9am and you headed down to make yourself breakfast.

After you had eaten you clean up a bit and chatted with your friends for a little. Until the doorbell rang and there was a mailman, delivering you a package and asking for your autograph.

You had told him that you didn’t purchase anything but he kept on insisting that this was the right address.

You took a look on the address and it was correct then you saw that it was bought with your boyfriends name. So you gave the mailman your autograph.

After you closed and locked your door you took the box into the living room. Wondering what your boyfriend could’ve possibly purchased. He always asks for your opinion before he purchases anything.

Curiosity got the best out of you and you opened the brown box, the box revealing another box inside. A more expensive looking one. Matt black box with golden letters from the expensive brand you were looking at earlier.

You opened the black box, now this time the box revealed a white stretchy bag, you opened the box and your jaw dropped at the sight.

The dark red pumps you were looking at yesterday. Before you could properly make up your thoughts your boyfriend messaged you.

[ wear em today ]

Is all he sent to you, you wondered how he knew that you had gotten them, then you remembered he gets a notification when a package is delivered.

Your heart was filled with warmth.

By 17:30 you started getting ready, quick shower, blowing your hair, picking your outfit. A long black silky dress and gold jewelry everywhere from your ears, wrists to your neck and fingers. Elegant makeup and your hair out up in a golden butterfly claw clip. Along with of course the new heels.

By 18:50 you received a text. Which meant to head outside. And so you did.

When you stepped outside you were met with your boyfriend dressed in black suit pants and a white dress shirt with a dark red tie to match his eyes and your new bought heels.

He greeted you with a hug and a kiss on your temple. “Thank you.” You said and pecked his lips.

“Nothing but the best for you.”

[exxa1812]

Voldication: A Vacation with the Riddles and Malfoys:)

Notes:

I used to play this with my friends when we were younger. Do NOT take this seriously. We had and probably still have mental issues. Have fun reading this. Sorry for the loss of braincells.Btw my first language isn't english. Sorry for any mistakes

Oma: german word for grandma [Om•ma]

Bussle: german word for a van for 7 people. not a bus! [Bus•sle]

Summary: Lord Voldemort needs a break from killing muggles. So he decides to take his family on a vacation to Italy. There is a lot of family fun and fluff and a Pool.

Chapter 1 : Oma ist KEINE Alkoholikerin (Oma is NOT an alcoholic)

I'm Delphi Riddle. My parents are Lord "Voldi" Voldemort and Bellatrix LeSTRANGE. This is the story of my family who went to Italy for summer vacation and things got a little bit out of hand when I was five years old.

Day 1.

The journey from London, England to Bucine, Italy was horrible. The bussle was packed with my dad, my mom, Narcissa, Lucius, Draco and me.

We could've apparated but DAD insisted on the whole experience. So we had to drive 4000 hours to Italy in a really crowded bussle without air conditioning.

When we FINALLY arrived I was sweating like a monkey in a shed. The house was nice and big. I even had my own room. There was this beautiful garden with lots of different flowers and plants. And behind the house there was a pool.

Since it was already late, we decided to eat dinner consisting of grapes and raisins because we didn't buy any food and because my dad is an idiot who forbid magic for the whole vacation.

So we just ate what was left for our trip. The wasn't much so everybody got a grape and 2 raisins except Draco he only got 1 raisin. After dinner I went to bed. It was already past my bedtime while the grown ups stayed up late which was really unfair.

Day 2.

When I woke up the next morning I already had the feeling that this was going to be a horrible day. This feeling turned out to be true when I found Oma sitting on a chair at the house bar with a glass of a weird clear liquid in her hand. Her wand was holding up her hair.

I always loved her hair. It was mid length and gray but in a certain light it looked lilaclightblue. I didn't know what she was doing here. Or how she got here. Suddenly I heard a lout gasp and a even louder and high pitched "MOMMY!!!" I turned around to see my dad standing in his with yellowish night gown in the door frame mouth hanging wide open and eyes comically large.

He was stuttering out a lot of questions like "What are you doing here, Mommy?" or "Really, Vodka?! It's only 9am." But Oma ignored him and yelled:"Have you lost your mind? How could you do this to me. To our family name. You stopped killing muggles for a vacation in Italy. You are a disgrace to this entire family." " I-I-I j-just thought it w-would be a good i-i-dea."

"You just thought! Well clearly you didn't. And for your information. I'm not drinking Vodka. It's water. I'm not an alcoholic."

Yeah, that's right. Oma is NOT an alcoholic. Just like uncle Lucius isn't one either. My dad just stared at her and said again "What are you doing here?"

"I'm part of this family and this is a family vacation. So of course I'm here. Somebody has to make sure you haven't gone completely insane. And I also wanted to see my granddaughter again." Oma answered slightly annoyed but smiled at me. Well, I think she did. You never know with her.

"Where are the others? Is the rest of the lazy folk still asleep?" Oma complained and took a big swing of her water.

"Bella is up. The rest, I don't know." Dad said unsure. "What are the plans for today, daddy?" I asked. Dad seemed to think before he answered: "Today is our first day here, so I thought we chill here a little bit and do some watersports."

"Yay!!! I love watersports. Especially waterball!!!" I said excitedly, while jumping up and down. "Of course that's your great plan for today. To do absolutely nothing. You are so lazy." Oma said with a very disappointed look on her face, while she poured herself another glass of water.

"It's not lazy. We just want to spent some family quality time. And we don't have to do a lot because it is vacation." Dad tried to defend. "Yeah, yeah, what ever" Oma said dismissively.

Then mom came. She was as equally shocked as dad when she saw oma. "Oma, what are you doing here?" Mom said with a forced smile. "And are drinking Vodka? We said no alcohol around Delphi" she added with a disapproving tone.

"Like I already explained to my lovely son. I'm here because this is a family vacation. And I'm family. It's water that I'm drinking, not Vodka. I don't drink."

Mom groaned really loud and dad walked quickly over to the bar to pour himself a glass of a brown yellowish liquid. I assumed it was apple juice. Dad emptied the glass and looked like he wanted to die.

Then Narcissa and Draco came in. Narcissa was pleasantly surprised when she saw Oma. Draco didn't seem to notice her presence. He was busy staring at his phone. "Lovely seeing you here, Oma." Narcissa said. For some reason Narcissa was the only adult who got along with oma. Oma always criticized dad. She didn't like mom because Oma is her mother-in-law. I don't know about Lucius. Oma never talks about him. I don't think I've ever seen them in one room.

But Oma didn't respond to her. She just stared at Draco, who still didn't notice her. "What is that?! Is that one of those muggle phones?! Why do you have this?!" Oma shrieked and started to completely freak out. She screamed things like "Stupid muggles." And "Stupid technology." To my surprise she didn't go for Draco. She went for dad. "And you allow this. That your nephew owns this muggle trash. Unbelievable!"

"Mommy, please. I didn't know he had it." Dad exclaimed quietly. "Boy, why do you own such horrible device, that is contaminated with muggles." Dad asked Draco in a strict voice. For the first time Draco lifted his head and saw Oma. His eyes went wide and his skin even paler as usual. "I uh need this for uh school."

He stuttered out. "I use it to uh submit my school assignments because uh owls don't fly to Italy. You know owl policy and stuff." He then explained a little bit unsure. "Oh, I didn't know Hogwarts uses now muggle trash. But I mean it is for school so I guess it is fine." Oma said understanding.

"I'm hungry." I said because I couldn't stand the fact that the attention wasn't on me. I mean I'm the main character after all. "Well Lucius went shopping for food. He actually should be here by now." Narcissa said.

"I had a long journey and I'm tired. I'm going to bed." Oma said with a yawn and left. But not before she took two bottles of her favourite brand of water. Five minutes after Oma left. Lucius came back from shopping and we all got to the dining area to eat breakfast.

The rest of the day was not that eventful. We stayed at the house and chilled. We all played some watersports. I didn't see Oma for the rest of the day. Mom said it's because she is tired and has a male cat (Hangover). Whatever a male cat has to do with this.

At the end of the day we had a beautiful dinner in the garden. Dad made pizza, which wasn't even that bad. Then I went to my room because I had to go to bed.

[booitsash]

date

11/19 - I thought it was going to another casual date so I just put on a sweater and my jogger. We met at Shin-Sen-Gumi yakatori and then got tea at Fengcha. Afterward, we just walked around Barnes park.

5 days

11/24 - He worked overnight til 4am and got off early to see me at 4PM in Burbank (Castaway). We drop off my car then uber to the Intercrew, Library Bar, then to the speakeasy at the Seven Grand for whiskey tasting. I lost my bet so I gave him a kiss before I drove off.

6 days

11/30 - Ubered me over for cuddle at 1am and uber me back at 7am

2 days

12/2 - After hanging out w/ my friend, he came to pick me up at 11PM then drove back to his place. He found clothes to match with me and we ubered to the Rythms. Got 2 shots and 1 cocktail each. We ended up doing it. I slept over and he said I could stay until whenever. After he took off to snowboard, I ubered home around 12PM.

2 days

12/5 - After our sexual convo I ended up ubering to his place and arrived at 3AM (12/6). We ended up doing it but this time he put in so much effort. Didn't sleep until 4ish am.

2 days

12/7 - He finished his work early and wanted to grab dessert. He picked me up but we ended up getting tea and skewers in Ktown. He took me back to his place and we drank a bit more then we did it again. He said I probably have a higher sex drive than he does. Then I left at 9am (12/8).

2 days

12/9 - He came to pick me up around 2ish pm and we went to HiroNori for late lunch. Afterward, we went to the mall to charge his car and bought some stuff at Sephora. However, I was a little insecure about how red I get so we stopped at a Sephora near his place. Once I got my foundation, we pregamed and headed to the Rosen, a karaoke place in Ktown. We did some stuffs and fell asleep.

12/10 - We woke up around 10 and left the house to get pho around 11am. We stopped by Troung Nguyen for Vietnamese coffee. Then, we went to Irvine Spectrum for honey & butter (macarons).

12/11 - I told him my day wasn't that great, so he called me after he sent out his thing. He called me a lyft to come over at 1ish (12/12). We had half a macaron, got ready for bed, cuddled & he started initiating it. So we did it for almost an hour and we fell asleep until 9am. He had to leave to the dentist to clean his teeth. I continued to sleep until 12pm. He didn't dare to wake me up so he didn't even shower. He ordered poke for us as I woke up. We ate and I had to leave since he had to prep for his meeting at 1ish.

3 days

12/14 - He drove over to pick me up and we played "We're not really strangers".

4 days

12/17 - I slept over then in the morning, we went to a condo tour. Afterward, we went on a hike to Griffith at 2. He surprised me with Erewhon and we cooked after getting Uni at a Japanese market and some ingredients at whole food.

12/18 - He ubered me back home around 2ish.

3 days

12/21 - He ubered me over. I came and helped him pack.

12/22 - We had brunch at Poppy & got tea at 3catea. Then he drove me off and drove to Vegas.

12/23-12/31 - He was in Vegas 23-24 then flew to Oregon 24-29

9 days

12/31 - He hung out with Mandee and her group of friends to celebrate New Year Eve. He drove over around 12isham to pick me up and then gave me my Christmas gift.

1/1 - He drove us to Westminister and surprised me to get a pedi-&medi-cure. Afterwards, we got tea in Cosa Mesa Mall and he made me return the gift I got for him.

1/3 - I told him lets be friends ~___~ lol...

5 days

1/6 - He came to pick me up to go to the Squid Game with his 3 friends (Christina, WenXi, and Ryan?). We got tanghulu and then kbbq at Quarters with Christina. He also bought an ube japanese cheesecake. We cuddled for a little then he drop me off. After he was done with work he asked if I can come over for cuddles. The next morning he dropped me off.

1/8 - I told him lets be friends ~___~ lol...

5 days

1/11 - He came to pick me up and surprise me with sugarfish and we went back home.

2 days

1/13 - I called him to see what he was doing and he was busy with work. He was down to pick me up after hanging with my friend Lauren. The next morning, we got donuts + cookies + tea at Larchmont. I packed him pho so we didn't get brunch.

2 days

1/15 - Picked me up to get hot pot in Rowland. We went to the Asian grocery market to get my snacks and ingredients to make hot pot.

5 days

1/20 - Drove over to pick me up to get pizza for dinner & sleep.

5 days

1/25 - He picked me up and we got tacos since he was hungry.

1/27-1/28 - He was in Vegas then came back to do more work...

6 days

1/31 - He ubered me over.

3 days

2/2 - He was going to pick me up at 4ish but I slept til 5. We didn't get to Illenium until 8:05pm and had to run to the pit gate. Sadly I had worse endurance than he does.

8 days .___.

2/10 - He's going to pick me up at 4pm.

[wavyhairedbabyy]

Idiots - Part 2

Karl Jacobs x gn!reader

tldr: They’ve both got a crush. Sucks, since they’re the only ones oblivious to it. (Slow Burn!)

CW: none, fluffy :))

a/n: Picnic portion was inspired by Sunflower by Rex Orange County :) Sorry it took so long! Major writers block on this but now I’m back :)))

edited yet?: yes - let me know if I missed anything!

Part 1 - Part 2

“So we agree, I’m Eve and you’re Wall-E?” y/n asked as the credits began to roll.

“I want to sit here and disagree with you just to spite you, but I can’t,” Karl responded, “I could 100% see you blasting someone for just walking funny on a bad day.”

“I’d blast you just for the hell of it,” Y/n jumped onto their feet raising their arms up in a big stretch after sitting for the movie.

“Bad choice,” Karl reached his arms to the side of their body, immediately tickling them. Y/n immediately screamed out his name, trying to move themselves out of his grasp. As soon as Karl noticed this, he grabbed their arm to pull them back on to the sofa.

“You’re... going... to... regret... this!” Y/n huffed out, thrashing against him. Karl’s giggles and their screams echoed around the house. It wasn’t until y/n mustered up all of their strength to push him of the couch for them to escape his clutches.

Y/n ran to the bathroom, quickly locking the door behind them. Karl quickly ran behind them only to have the door slammed in his face, “Aw, c’mon y/n, let me in.”

“After that stunt you pulled? In your dreams, Jacobs,” Y/n turned toward the sink, ignoring Karl’s attempts to unlock the door. The only thing on their mind was their night routine and then hitting the hay.

As y/n started the warm water, the door swung opened making them jump. At the door frame stood Karl with a quarter in his hand, “Next time you should check to see what kind of lock I have.”

“Whatever, smart ass,” y/n rolled their eyes playfully, reaching for their tooth brush. They brushed their teeth as Karl scrolled through his phone. After the flight, unpacking, and a night with Karl, y/n just wanted to head to bed. They couldn’t even imagine how Karl felt with all the Mr. Beast stuff. After rinsing their mouth they asked, “You goin’ to bed too?”

Karl shook his head, “Nah, I’m going to stream for an hour or two. Nick and Alex want to practice for this Minecraft Championship thing so I’m gonna root them all while also roasting the crap out of them.”

Y/n should’ve known, especially with the mountains of energy drinks in his fridge. The man probably never sleeps, “Well you enjoy that. I’m knocking out for the night.”

Karl nodded. “I figured. You and you grandma schedule,” he giggled, resulting in a pout from them.

“You say that as if dealing with sleep deprived me isn’t one of the worst things in the world.”

“I mean, you got me there,” he shrugged. He walked over to them, wrapping his arms around them tightly, “Goodnight. Knock on my door if you need anything at anytime, okay?”

Y/n nodded, hugging back just as tightly. They wished this could last together. His smell was comforting, reminding her of happiness and serenity. His hold made them feel safe, like nothing could hurt them as long as he was there. The feeling ended too quickly as he pulled away, giving them one last smile before heading off to his stream room.

Y/n looked at themselves in the mirror, huffing to themselves. Going from not seeing Karl for over a year to all Karl all the time felt like sensory overload. The butterflies, the emotions, their head racing with thoughts that they shouldn’t have for someone who is just their best friend - it was a lot.

This was going to be a long week.

***

Y/n woke up to the sun’s rays gleaming through the blinds. Looking at their phone, they saw that it was 9AM. Juggling between the staying in bed and getting up, y/n decided that getting up was the better option. The last thing they wanted to do was go back to bed and mess up their “grandma schedule,” as Karl would call it.

Moving out of the bed, they reached their limbs as far as they could stretch them. After picking their outfit, they journeyed to the bathroom to get their morning started. On the way over, they peeked into Karl’s room and saw him still asleep. They had no idea when he had gone to bed so they shut the door quietly, making their way to the bathroom once again.

As they were brushing their teeth, y/n realized it was the day they were going to the warehouse for a Mr. Beast video. They knew they weren’t going to be filmed, but the nerves were still there. They had met Chris, which was helpful, but not Jimmy yet. What if they messed up a shot? Or messed up any equipment? Not touching anything while they were there seemed like a fool proof idea.

Y/n finished up their morning routine as they kept thinking of ways to not fuck anything up. Making their way to the kitchen, they knew the one thing that could - somewhat - calm their nerves: coffee.

Y/n happily found a jar of instant coffee. Not the best, but it’ll do. Upon unscrewing the jar, they noticed it a plastic film seal up which confirmed that it was brand new. Did Karl get this just because he knew they were coming? They couldn’t recall him ever drinking caffeine that wasn’t from an energy drink. Y/n didn’t know, but the idea of it made their heart melt.

***

Once Karl woke up, he and y/n made a quick breakfast together made their way over to the warehouse.

“I don’t know why, but I’m really nervous. I don’t even know what I’m nervous about. I know it’s going to be fine, but.... I don’t know,” y/n expressed on the drive there. It was a brand new experience and they didn’t know what to expect. They’ve never been on a set of any kind let alone one for someone as well known as Mr. Beast.

“Hey, you’ll be okay. I know it can feel overwhelming, especially for your first time. I’ll be there if you need anything,” Karl comforted them through their nerves. He held their hand and gave it a gentle squeeze, “If you ever need a minute, don’t wait to ask. Just take it.”

Y/n smiled at him. He was always great at making sure they were comfortable wherever they went. While the nerves were still there, they felt a lot better knowing Karl was available, even among the chaos that may ensue.

***

The day at the warehouse went really well. Y/n’s nerves went away about an hour in, but that didn’t stop Karl from checking every now and then. Y/n was grateful that they respected them not wanting to be filmed, especially when they started filming a Fear Factor like video with snakes, cockroaches, and tarantulas. With all the creatures around, it didn’t take long for them to grab one of the smaller boa constrictors and start chasing Karl around with it.

“Y/N! STOP! WHAT DID I EVER DO TO YOU?” Karl screeched, running away from them.

“REMEMBER THAT TICKLE ATTACK FROM LAST NIGHT? TOLD YOU YOU WOULD REGRET IT!” Y/n yelled back. They were laughing the entire time while Karl continued his screaming. Their fun chasing Karl was cut short when snake man had to start packing away his animals.

At some point during the day, y/n had taken a step outside for a social break. Chris took this time to continue the conversation he and Karl had in the car. Walking over to his friend, he asked, “So have you told them yet?”

Karl looked around to ensure you hadn’t come back or were around before responding, “No, I’m going to wait until right before they leave. I’m scared that I’ll tell them and it’ll ruin the week.”

Chris looked at Karl, absolutely dumbfounded, “Dude, I can’t believe the two of you. And you two acted the way you did today in college too?”

“I mean, yeah. We’re best friends. What’s wrong with how we’re acting?” Karl gave him a confused look.

“Nothing but it’s so painfully obvious y’all are into each other. I didn’t pick it up yesterday, but y/n is totally into you too, man,” Chris explained, “Even Chandler was able to pick it up. He thought I was kidding when I said you two weren’t a low-key thing. Please do both of yourselves a favor and just tell them.”

This conversation ran through Karl’s head the rest of the day. Did y/n really like him back? The thought of that made his stomach do flips. He became hyper aware of all y/n’s actions and they suddenly meant more to him. When they high-fived, he felt his hand on fire when they weaved their fingers with his. He was more aware of their body on his when they hugged, butterflies flying through his stomach when they gave him a squeeze.

The drive home was spent by y/n non-stop talking about how much of a great day they had right after a heated debate on where they would be picking up dinner. They were too tired to even thinking about cheffing up a meal. What y/n didn’t know was the nerves hidden underneath Karl’s semi-cool exterior on how he planned on confessing his feelings. Luckily, “semi-cool” was his middle name.

The two had stopped at the Asian fusion place they decided to pick up food from. As they got into the car, Karl’s eyes lit up as he came up with an idea for dinner and turned to y/n.

Y/n, noticing this, furrowed their brows and said, “You either have a really good idea or a really dumb idea, and I think you’re going to tell me whether I want to hear it or not.”

“You are absolutely right!” Karl giggled, “Anyways, to keep it short and simple, picnic in the park? I have a blanket and we can pick up some ice cream or something.”

“That... actually is a great idea! I’m starting a playlist now and I’ll share it with you. How does ‘stupidly great vibes’ sound?”

“Sounds perfect.”

***

The two sat on a hill in a nearby park, digging into their dinner with the last minute playlist y/n had come up with playing in the background. The bottom of the sun was barely touching the horizon, getting ready to set and give the sky to the moon for the night.

The comfortable silence they had was one of their favorite things about their relationship. Neither of them ever felt pressure to fill the emptiness. Just being in each other’s company was entertaining and pleasing for both of them. They just watched their surroundings, while enjoying their food and each other’s presence.

After they clean up, the silence continued. They sat shoulder to shoulder, enjoying the moment they were in. They both would steal side glances at each other without the other noticing. Moving to lean their head on Karl’s shoulder, Y/n was looking at the sunset but their thoughts were swarmed with him and the last day and a half. They loved how he always made sure they were comfortable and welcomed in any setting. They loved they way his voices would crack during a fit of giggles. Just one day with him had their mind swirling in a pool of just him. His touch, his smell, his voice. They felt like they were in a trance with him.

Being with them, Karl realized how much happier he was with them there. He realized how much giddier he was waking up, how his mood had been uplifted with just their presence. He loved how headstrong they were, but never so much to the point that it hurt other people. He loved the way they could up his self esteem in the matter of a few minutes. The more and more he thought about it, the more he realized he loved them. He loved them more than just a best friend. He’s had for a handful of years. He wanted more than just the title “best friend.”

The two sat there, both individually coming to the realization that they have been falling in love with the other over the last few years. Neither caught onto each other’s hints while every outsider saw the love for one another other bloom.

Karl turned his head, spotting a small white daisy in the grass next to their blanket. He leaned over to grab it which forced y/n to lift their head from where it was, their eyes watching for what he was reach for. Plucking it from the grass, he leaned back and gave it to y/n.

“For you,” he practically whispered with the goofiest grin on his face. Y/n took the flower from his hand, returning his smile.

“Aw, thanks Karl.”

They locked eyes immediately after. Any plans Karl had in his mind on confessing to y/n immediately got thrown out the window, the hours of thinking gone to waste. In that moment, he blurted out the only words he could make sense of in that instant, “y/n... I think I’m in love with you.”

Y/n froze, trying to wrap the words he said around their head. They for sure thought they were awake but after his confession, they couldn’t be sure if they were in a dream or not. Their mind was reeling, making the task of forming a sentence that made sense a difficult one.

At the same time, Karl was giving himself a mental face palm. He wanted to confess his feelings, but not to that level. His nerves were on high alert, already assuming the worst was yet to come. He had to save the friendship at the very least.

“I-I’m sorry. It wasn’t supposed to come out like that,” he rambled, “But - uh- I’ve had a crush on you for a while now and I never wanted to ruin the friendship but if you’re uncomfortable with that, that totally makes sense-”

As he kept talking, y/n began to collect their thoughts. They thought he looked so cute when he nervously rambled but they had to cut him off eventually, knowing his anxiety levels were through the roof.

“Karl,” As soon as he heard their voice, his rambling stopped and kept all eyes on them. He looked at them waiting for a response but receiving none. Instead y/n wrapped their arms around him, enveloping him in a warm hug, “I think I’m in love with you too.”

Karl felt his heart explode. Chris was right. He hugged them back just as, if not more, tight. Any nerves he had running threw his body were replaced with pure happiness. He didn’t need to hold anything back from them anymore.

Y/n pulled away from the hug, leaning their foreheads together, “Can I kiss you?”

Karl smiled, “Honestly, it’s all I’ve want since I made that shot into your coffee.”

Y/n gave Karl a bewildered look, “What? That long?” They exclaimed

“Yeah, but we have the rest of the week to talk about it.” Karl leaned in, pressing his lips gently against theirs, wrapping his hands around them to bring them closer. The kiss was gentle and sweet, as if they would be woken up from a dream if they were anything but that.

They pulled away from kiss, but remained in each other’s arms. They stayed silent and enjoyed each other’s presence and touch, each meaning much more than they had just a few moments earlier. All that was left in the park was the semicircle of the sun on the horizon, a bag of food scraps, and two idiots, dumbfounded at the love they had for each other.

***

If you liked this fic, check out my others:

Masterlist

[sintatae]

qn | part two

qn or quaque nocte: an abbreviation that nurses and other healthcare workers use for medications and interventions to occur every night // 3670 words

pairing: taehyung x reader

genre: nurse!reader, business analyst!taehyung, f2l, mild fake dating, neighbours, angst, fluff, breakfast dates and nighttime strolls

summary: …in which you love the night and he loves the day. you’re grumpy, shy, and keep to yourself. while he’s pure joy, fearless and outgoing. you have the makeup to be complete opposites of each other, but it’s in both of your favourite parts of the day, where you realize you’re a lot closer than you thought.

summary | part one | part two 

inspo | masterlist

Buzz. Buzz-buzz. Eyes fluttering open as if angry at the world, you reach under your pillow to find 2 missed calls from Taehyung and 1 (probably drunken) missed call from Bianca. Rubbing your eyes, you look at the clock above your bed to see that is it now 0900 in the morning. On your weekend off.

What in the world?

You open your phone to a flurry of text messages.

Bibi (1): okso ur gonna come out with us again right I miss u come hangout w me u_u [0345]

Jimin (1): So......what happened last night? Also any idea why I’m on the couch with Namjoon lol [0812]

You shake your head laughing at the memories of Bibi’s relentless ploys to get you out of the house and hauling one of Jimin’s listless arms around your shoulders while you dragged him through the backdoor.  

Shooting straight up in bed, you remember what happened the previous night and touch your fingers to your lips as the feeling of Taehyung’s lips against yours lingered.

There was never a considerable amount of time that you thought about Taehyung.  Truthfully, you didn’t spend a whole lot of time thinking about what he meant to you aside from the fact that he was becoming one of your closest friends in a city far from your own. Before you even realized it, he became a part of ‘home’ to you.  Because there was a comfort about Taehyung, almost like the feeling of sinking into your most comfortable pillow after a long day or night.  Almost like sitting next to a warm fire on the beach during summer, if you got too close, he shined brightly enough to make you forget your worries. He was chicken soup for the soul. Perhaps it had been the reason you suckered him into this position in the first place. Taehyung was comfort.

Perhaps, it was all starting to make sense to you, despite how oblivious you had been. The way that he always met you on your way home or made sure that you had something to eat. Always inviting you to come hang out with him and the boys or even the way he constantly teased you about sleeping all day, when being a hermit was all you wanted to do. You didn’t even realize how easily he could convince you to hang out, which was a feat that no unknowing person could do.

Taehyung felt the same way too. At first you were just the cute girl next door who didn’t know anyone apart from one friend named Grace from nursing school who made the move to the city years ago.  Something about you drew him in, whether it was your loud, bright laugh or the fact that you always got frazzled whenever someone paid more than enough attention to you. You always wanted to make sure everyone was taken care of before you were. It made him want to take care of you, not that you needed it. Despite your stubborn, at times type A personality, you were also oblivious to how magnetic you were. There wasn’t an uncaring bone in your body.  He’s heard how rough you have it at work sometimes, and wanted to make sure that you were taking care of yourself as well. He had no doubt that you were an excellent nurse.

Rubbing your eyes and shaking your head to rid yourself of the ????? panic in your head, you open your messages from Taehyung.

Taehyung (1): Wake up!! [0824]

Taehyung (2): Breakfast time, sleeping beauty! [0856]

Ignoring the rush of nerves in your stomach, you reply.

Y/N: hi [0901]

Y/N: You do know what time it is right [0901]

Ding!

Taehyung: Sure do, it’s 9am. Come outside I made grilled cheese.  And coffee as promised. [0902]

Getting up to brush your teeth, you reply.

Y/N: You made grilled cheese? Or Jimin made grilled cheese? [0902]

Taehyung: I sprinkled the cheese. [0903]

Y/N: A man after my own heart. [0903]

Taehyung: :) [0903]

You open another conversation.

Y/N: Thanks for the grilled cheese. [0905]

Jimin: ;) [0905]

After brushing your teeth and throwing on a large sweater over your sleeping shorts, you slide your feet through your house slippers and begrudgingly make your way downstairs. You smooth down your bedhead and grab a blanket from the couch to wrap around yourself, making your way to your backyard door. You see Taehyung bring out two steaming mugs of coffee as you pull open the door— trying your best to give him cut-eye for waking you up early (but failing miserably when you see the extra-large grey sweater he’s donning).

Hands hidden in sweater paws, he sets down the two mugs and glances up at you, grin stretching from ear to ear.

“Hi,” You say sheepishly, coming closer to where he’s standing near their couch on the patio. “I’m tired.”

Arms outstretched as you go near him, Taehyung engulfs you in a hug that smells very much like Taehyung- fresh linen and something sweet. Why do you even know this?

Suddenly feeling shy, you playfully shove him off and onto the couch. “You woke me up, jerk.”

“If you were actually upset, then why are you out here?” He says smirking, ends of his lips curled upwards. Plopping yourself down onto the couch beside you, you pick up your cup of coffee, eyes looking anywhere but his.

“Where’s everyone?”

“Jimin left early to open up the café since someone called in sick, Namjoon is in the shower and Jungkook is still sleeping.” Taehyung says in between bites of his sandwich. Elephant in the room. Balling up his napkin and pushing your plate towards you, he starts “So...”

“So...?” You speak while taking a bite, still avoiding his eyes. An awkward beat passes between the two of you, as you both eat in silence, occasionally glancing up at the other. The summer sun shining bright behind him and rising by the minute, you squint your eyes at him.

“About last night... I think I might have drank too much.” He says. There’s a slight sinking feeling in your stomach as the words leave his mouth, but either way, you make sure he doesn’t feel too bad for acting out of character.

“Oh, don’t worry about it at all, it happens.” You say, indefinitely avoiding his eyes. “You don’t have to have regrets.”

“Actually I do have regrets,” He says, hand reaching out to place on your forearm.

“No no no, you shouldn’t. Actually it makes more sense this way, and honestly I was the one that made you come out with me—”

Before going off on one of your nervous tangents, your argument is cut short when Taehyung runs his hand down your arm to place your hand in his. Stopping yourself, you furrow your brows at him as he laughs lightly to himself.

“What I meant was,” He stops to push a strand of hair behind your ear. “I only have regrets because I didn’t ask you out first. And because I ruined my own plan by kissing you prematurely.” Hearing him say he had his own plan makes you laugh, but you’re still confused.

“When did you…even start feeling this way about me? I had no clue.” Sitting up to grab your mug, “I always just thought you were looking out for me as a good neighbour. Or because you thought I was a loser, sleeping all day and not doing anything.” He laughs at this.

“Well, that’s partly true.” He says, laughing as he sees you giving him some side-eye. Leaning back to throw an arm around your shoulders, Taehyung says,  “It wasn’t until seeing you every morning on your way home from work and before I left for work myself, that I realized it was what I looked forward to everyday.”

You soften at this, but can’t help to throw in some self-deprecating humour since you’re still reeling from the confession. “You looked forward to seeing this sleep deprived grump coming home from what was probably a rough shift?”

Flashing his wide smile at you again, he says, “Precisely.”

You stop yourself when you almost check your wrist for your pulse, your heart rate must be over 100 at this point because you suddenly feel out of breath and nervous. Opting to just stay quiet, you lean your head against his shoulder.

A few beats of silence pass as both sit in each other’s company.

“Taehyung, why do you sit out here so late after work?” You feel him tense beside you. Sighing, he says.

“Work… has just been kicking my ass lately.” Pulling you closer into his shoulder and staring forward at nothing particular. “I just have a lot of pressure and weight on my shoulders. So I just need to decompress sometimes.”

“Is it the promotion?”

“Ehhh. Among other things,” he says, nervously twirling your hair above your shoulder. “Hey! Does that mean you’ve been spying on me?”

“I can neither confirm nor deny.” Holding your hand up for a high five, you speak, “I’m here for you though.” Laughing, he reaches up to high five you back, locking your fingers between his. Just then you hear the sliding door open. Jungkook.

You make a move to pull apart but Taehyung stops you and says, “He knows,” while shoving some grilled cheese in his mouth.

“Of course I know,” Jungkook says, stealing the other half of Tae’s sandwich. “It was obvious to all of us after you moved in and all Tae could talk about was helping you with your moving boxes because he wanted to be a gOod nEighBour.”

“Jeeze bro, do you need more sleep or something?” Taehyung says beside you, glaring at his roommate.

“Oh another thing, back before we knew you were nocturnal, he’d always wonder when you’d be awake or if you were home. He always took out the trash at night in case he could see you, so we just let him make it his chore.” Jungkook says grinning.

“Alright, alright,” Taehyung says getting up, shoving the younger boy to the door. “That’s enough. There’s more food inside so go.”

Taehyung pushes a backwards Jungkook all the way until he’s inside the kitchen and pulls it closed. Before departing into the house, Jungkook flashes you two finger hearts while smiling.

All you can do is shake your head and smile, mind still reeling at all of these new revelations.

“Last night was fun though, thanks again.” You say, still avoiding his eyes. “You were a good fake boyfriend.”

“Don’t mention it,” The boy says, both of you making eye contact while a beat passes. “Any time you need me, I’m here.” And he was.

Two weeks go by and despite his confessions, you both fall back into your usual routine. Nothing needed to change, except maybe some flirting and a few stolen kisses here and there. Your schedules made it hard to see each other, especially when you were working but you could always find time to meet whether it was in the early morning sun or late at night in the moonlight. There didn’t need to be labels, you were having fun after all.

There was even one random Thursday night that you may or may not have kept him out longer than intended, not that he cared really.

It was 2330 at night and you were at work after picking up an extra few hours to help with staffing shortages on the unit. You had gotten a ride to work with Esther and completely forgot as you were leaving that you didn’t drive. You texted Taehyung after your shift and after learning your predicament, he called you.

“But Tae, it’s a work night! You don’t have to pick me up.” You nagged on the phone. “It’s late. I was just going to order an Uber.”  

“Exactly, all the more reason to pick you up.” Taehyung said on the phone. “I’ll be there in 2 minutes.”

“Fine,” You relent. “But let me treat you at least.”

2 minutes and not a second later, the lights of Taehyung’s car flash at the entrance of the hospital. Towing your work bag over your shoulder, you meet him, smiles donning both of your faces. As soon as you’re in the car, you smile sheepishly at him and thank him for picking you up.

“Hungry?” You ask.

“It’s 11:30 at night.”

“...And?” You say. Taehyung just shrugs. “Okay, well I still have to thank you in some way for picking me up.”

He smirks at this, eyebrows raising. As you reach over and smack him on his shoulder, Taehyung’s expression softens and he laughs. “Okay, okay just kidding.”

“Let’s get breakfast.”

And so the two of you do exactly that, stopping at the 24-hour breakfast place just down the road from the hospital. A staple on your nightshifts. You weren’t planning on dining in, but the two of you naturally slid into a booth and shared a plate of Nutella pancakes loaded with strawberries. An hour and a half had gone by without you even realizing, both of you debating over if sweet or savoury was superior. (Taehyung insisted it was sweet, but a savoury crepe was top tier.) You started getting sleepy since you weren’t able to get your pre-shift coffee.

After paying for your food, the two of you made your way back to his car. Hands in your sweater, you bumped Taehyung’s hip as he threw an arm over your shoulder.

While in the car, streetlights passing, you try to stifle a yawn into your arm.

“Tired?” Taehyung asks.

“Yeah, aren’t you?” You say, eyes drifting closed. “You have work tomorrow...”

Taehyung can only smile at you as he reaches over and threads his fingers through yours. You take his hand in both of yours as you lean your head against the seat, facing the window so he can’t see the blush that creeps on your face. Yep, no labels.

The next morning, Taehyung was late for work. You wake up to his footsteps in the backyard, trudging down the steps of your deck. Glasses perched at the end of his nose, you can tell from behind that he’s walking with his eyes closed as he waddles to his car. Wearing a maroon t-shirt and black jeans, he throws his shoulder bag into the front seat before driving off.

Well, at least it’s casual Friday.

To be honest, you couldn’t exactly pinpoint how you felt about Taehyung. There were definitely feelings there, but you guessed it was just you being cautious and wary as usual. That, and the fact that you weren’t expecting to fall or feel anything remotely of the sort for anyone while you were here.

This isn’t part of your plan.

The panic alarms go off in your head once in a while, but you’ve started to ignore them.

The clock in the nursing station reads 0645 on a Monday and as you sit down to finish charting on all of your patients, you get a text message.

Taehyung: Quick coffee date after work and before I work? [0645]

Taehyung: Or are you too tired? You’re off tonight right? [0645]

Always the double-texter.

Y/N: Yes, I’m tired and yes I’m off tonight. But yes, coffee. :) [0646]

Taehyung: Can’t wait.

You smile and shove your phone away to finish charting. Bibi sits beside you and scoffs, rolling her eyes. You eventually told her why Taehyung came with you that night, from the plan all the way to your walk with him.

“What is it, Bibi?” You say sighing, not even bothering to look up from your computer.

“Nothing, nothing…” Bibi says, twirling around in her computer chair. “Just that you’re a big liar.”

“About what?!” Still not turning to look at her. “When have I ever been untruthful?”

“Oh nothing, except maybe to yourself.” She says, smirking at you. “You know, even though we work in the cardiac ICU, you seem to listen to every heart except your own.”

“Ha ha. How long were you sitting on that one?”

A call bell goes off and she gets up to answer it, but not before shooting you a wink. Saved by the bell, you get a moment of solitude and don’t dwell too much on what she said.  

You practically run to your car after changing out of your scrubs (and brushing your teeth). Night shift breath is… no joke. Briefly you wonder if you need to touch up your makeup when you see the dark circles under your eyes, but decide against it –Taehyung never cared how you looked after work and you start making your way to the café.

Taehyung’s already sitting in your usual spot on the loveseat, two coffees on the table in front of him. He’s checking something on his laptop while you sit beside him, eventually nudging him in the arm with your elbow when he doesn’t notice you sitting there.

“Hi.” He says, “Sorry sorry, just finishing up this work presentation.” You wave him off, taking a sip of your coffee. “Okay, done. How are you?” He says, pressing a kiss to your cheek.

A soft blush creeps onto your face, and Taehyung grins. “I’m good. I had a fair assignment last night, but they made me charge nurse.” You frown at Taehyung. You didn’t mind being in charge, but you felt like it was the blind leading the blind when you were with your inch of experience. Thankfully you had a good team working last night.

“Aw, I’m sure you did a great job.” He says, an arm thrown around your shoulder. “Besides, we love a strong woman in charge.” He picks up one of your arms, poking at your bicep. “Well, maybe not that strong.”

You shove him back onto the couch, laughing while Taehyung’s hand comes up to smooth out the crease in his dress shirt. “Hey, I have a presentation to do today. I’m already nervous as it is, so be careful with the merchandise.”

“A presentation? With who?”

“Oh you know, the executives. The partners. The works.”

“I’m sure you’re gonna do fine, Mr. Promotion. Just be yourself.” You say, patting his head. “And I’ll be home tonight, we can decompress together. And maybe get some food.”

“I’d love that.”

“Speaking of food, do you want anything? Breakfast of champions to hype you up for your presentation?”

“I’m almost worried to find out what your version of breakfast means.”

“I’ll surprise you.” You say giggling, getting up to order at the counter. You stand and wait for your food—chocolate croissants (for you), a mini breakfast club and a double shot of expresso for Taehyung. Just as you’re about to send a message to Jungkook about working out later, your order is called out.

But as you make your way over to Taehyung, you realize he’s standing and talking to an older man dressed in a suit. You see the way Taehyung is hurriedly packing his laptop into his work bag, and you awkwardly interrupt to hand him his coffee and sub.

“Hello.” The older man says to you. “I’m Mr. Kim.”

“Hi, I’m Y/N.” You say, sheepishly reaching out to shake his hand and glancing at Taehyung sideways.

“Y/N, this is Mr. Kim, CEO of SunnyDaes.” Taehyung says nervously, shoving his hands into his pockets and looking at everything but your eyes. “And also, my dad.”

You were nervous at graduation, nervous about your maid of honour speech at your sister’s wedding, and you almost passed out writing your nursing licensure exam. But in this moment, it truly felt like your stomach dropped out of your ass.  

“Oh. Oh! Hi sir, it’s nice to meet you.” You said, unconsciously bowing before standing up straighter.

“It’s nice to meet you too,” Mr. Kim says, with a smirk on his face. “Nice to meet the girl who’s been making Taehyung late for work every day. Do you have work to get to, as well?”

“No, she actually worked last night, Dad.” Taehyung says.

“Oh, did you now? What do you do for work?” Mr. Kim says again, asking you directly, eying you up and down.

“I’m a nurse.” You say, fidgeting with the sleeves of your top, feeling suddenly self-conscious in your sweats.

“Oh, very nice.” He says giving you a soft smile. He adds, “Did you always want to be a nurse? How long were you in school for?”

“Dad, please.” Taehyung says, eyes closing in defeat. “Please don’t grill her. Besides, she needs to get home to sleep. Right, Y/N?”

“Oh no, it’s fine.” You say. “Yes, I always wanted to be a nurse. And I was in school for four years.”

“Ah! That’s surprising.” Taken back, you wait for him to finish. “I guess some young people actually know what they want to do.” Flashing Taehyung a wink, he pats him on the back. “Let’s go. The executives are looking forward to your presentation.”

You look at Taehyung and mouth a quick “good luck” to him. Though your smile says otherwise, he can see the panic in your eyes. You hated surprises and definitely needed time to mentally prepare for well, anything.

Smoothing out his shirt once again, Taehyung makes his way to the café door, his father following behind.

“Oh, and Y/N?” Mr. Kim says, looking back. You nod and he continues, “Would it be alright to grill you later this evening for dinner?”

His back to you, you see Taehyung freeze.

“Um, yeah- I mean, yes that would be alright Mr. Kim.”

“Excellent.”

As they both leave, you sit carefully on the loveseat, thinking about what had just transpired. Feeling numb to your fingers, you wipe your palms on the fabric of your jeans. Long forgetting the croissants in the brown paper bag, you place them on the coffee table in front of you, appetite non-existent.

You can’t ignore the panic alarms now.

AN: hi hi sorry this was long overdue like a year overdue oops, i wrote it and rewrote it so many times before i realized i just needed to post it!! i’m literally posting this before i have to work tonight sooo sorry to leave it on a cliff hanger, but maybe this will push me to keep going hehehe okay anyway i hope y’all enjoy!! 

chelsea 

[vintagedolan]

forgetful (egd)

it’s not like Ethan to forget things, so there’s no way he forgot your birthday... right?

word count: 4.2k

requested by: anon (thank you beeb!) 

warnings/tags: sad!ethan, forgetting of a birthday, panic attack, mentions of sean, angst (but it’s resolved cause im a weak fluffy bitch oops)

feel free to send in requests! i’ll write most things! hope you enjoy :)

This was one elaborate plan, you’d give him that. And he was hiding everything so well that you were ridiculously impressed. You went along with it, not wanting him to think that you were suspicious of anything.

“You all packed?” You asked, pouting a bit as he zipped up his bag and stood it up on its wheels. 

“Yep. It’s just for a few days, I’ll be back on Thursday. Need some family time with Mom,” he reassured you. 

Thursday. Your birthday. 

You never really made a big deal out of birthdays but after you had gotten Ethan two new custom longboards for his, he had promised you an epic celebration for your big day. And he hadn’t let you in on the secret at all. It took all your self control not to pry and ask questions as you followed him out to the car where Grayson was waiting. Was he even going to Jersey? Or was this all some big ploy? You wouldn’t put it past him. Either way, you knew you weren’t going to see him for a few days, which pulled at your heart strings a bit.

“Okay, well fly safe, and let me know when you all get there,” you wrapped your arms around his torso, squeezing tight. He nuzzled into your hair for a moment, squeezing you even tighter than he usually did. Between the way he was talking and that, you could tell something was definitely going on. 

“I will. I love you,” he said, leaning down to kiss you goodbye. It was quicker than usual. It only convinced you more.

“Love you too,” you smiled at him, letting go and moving to hug Grayson goodbye. You waved until they were out of sight before going inside, with a million thoughts of what he could be up to running through your head. 

He text you a quick made it safe about 6 hours later, right on time for a landing in New Jersey. You sent back some hearts and a response. 

Have fun hanging with your mom, I know you’ve missed her. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. I love you! It was a subtle way of trying to assure him that he didn’t need to be talking to you when he should be visiting with his family. 

He sent back a I will baby, I love you too and you left it at that. 

The next day went by fairly slow for a Monday. You piddled around the house, getting some work done and generally just relaxing. Ethan FaceTimed you around noon, and was acting even weirder than before. Something was definitely up, and you couldn’t help but get a little bit excited. He must be planning something big if he was this nervous about it. 

Tuesday was even weirder. He sent you a good morning text, but you didn’t hear from him again until that evening, and when he called you could tell that he was exhausted and wasn’t much in the mood for talking. It puzzled you some, but worried you more than anything. 

“Are you okay baby? You seem a bit off,” you asked.

“Yeah, I’m just tired. I need to go to bed. I love you.”

“I love you too, get some rest.” 

By Wednesday, you were actually starting to get concerned. You considered texting Grayson - if Ethan was actually upset about something, his brother would probably tell you. But you felt bad at the idea of going behind Ethan’s back so you waited. 

It was 9pm your time, which was midnight back in Jersey, when he finally facetimed you. He was in a bit higher spirits, which made you smile. His day was much more interesting than yours had been, so you listened to him talk about anything and everything, just content to hear his voice. When he finally got through all the events, he asked all about yours. There wasn’t much to tell, but you walked him through.

“I’m sure tomorrow will be more eventful,” you teased, rolling your eyes a bit.

“Yeah, about that. Cam is coming to surprise mom tomorrow, and Gray and I are gonna stay an extra day so we can see her. It’s been ages since we’ve all been home,” he explained. You balked. Was he kidding? You watched him closely, trying to see if he was joking or not. You noticed that he was fidgeting a little bit, one of his nervous habits. Something else was up. 

It clicked for you then - he was probably setting up the surprise, wanting you to think that he wasn’t even going to be in the state. Sneaky.

“Okay, that’s fine,” you responded, secretly looking around the screen to see if you could spot a camera. He would be filming this for sure if there was a video, and you didn’t want to ruin it.

“I was wondering if you could do me a favor tomorrow though. Louis Vuitton is getting a shipment of new stuff in for me and Gray, and we’re supposed to pick specific stuff by Saturday, do you think you could go get it and bring it home so we have more time to decide once we get back?” 

There it was. 

The weird get-you-to-a-certain-place excuse that was customary with any Ethan surprise. You breathed out a sigh - for a second there you really thought that he had forgotten. This was one of his less creative ideas, but you rolled with it anyways. 

“Yeah, I can get it. What time am I supposed to go?”

“Whenever is fine! Thank you baby,” he offered you a soft smile.

Weird. Usually he would be specific on a time. Oh well. He definitely just needed you out of the house so he could set up whatever it was. 

“You’re welcome. Isn’t it like 1am there now? You should be asleep,” you reminded him.

“Yeah, we’ve gotta get Cam pretty early in the morning so you’re probably right. Well, I love you, I’ll check on you tomorrow. Goodnight!”

“I love you too, goodnight baby.”

It was hard to sleep that night. Your mind was racing with a million different things, trying to think of what he would be planning. He was probably on a plane already. You woke up throughout the night, convinced you were hearing him sneaking in. But eventually you fell asleep with no dreams.

And when you woke up the next morning around 9am the house was empty and quiet. You didn’t feel any older, and to be honest it didn’t feel much different from your past few birthdays - you usually spent them alone. You walked around the house cautiously, peeking around corners to see if someone was there to jump out and surprise you. No one showed, so you simply went to the kitchen and made yourself a quick breakfast. 

Once that was done, you went back to Ethan’s bathroom and started getting ready. It had been awhile since you’d done a full face of makeup, and you put on one of your favorite outfits as well just to make you feel nice.

As you were putting your shoes on, you felt your phone buzz. 

Morning baby! what’re you up to? was the text from Ethan that came across your screen. 

morning! I’m headed to louis to get your alls clothes

You felt the butterflies starting to mount as you headed out to the car. Who knew what was gonna be there when you got back. Deciding to make the most of it, you stopped by your favorite coffee shop and got a drink on your way to the store. The workers were nice as always, even helping you to get all the garment bags into your car before waving as you drove off. 

The excitement mounted with each minute that passed on the way home. You were practically bouncing by the time you got to the driveway, opening the gate and pulling in. Nothing looked different - of course, he would have hidden the cars somewhere. 

You gathered all the garment bags, holding them high above you so they didn’t drag the ground, hoping you wouldn’t drop them if someone jumped out. 

Opening the door slowly, you braced yourself.

And nothing. 

Nothing happened. 

You kept walking, placing the bags down over the couch. 

“Hello?” You said, listening to the echo. There was no response. And then it hit you like a ton of bricks. 

No one was here. 

No one was coming.

You’d been forgotten. 

The tears came quickly, hot and angry down your cheeks. It took a moment for you to realize that you were actually embarrassed. You’d made up a whole scenario in your head that your boyfriend was planning some major surprise for you, when in reality he was actually across the country with no idea what day it even was. It stung much more than you thought it would. 

And so, you sat on the floor and cried, leaving tear stains on your outfit and throwing a full on pity party. You felt stupid, and childish, and unloved all at the same time. A tiny sliver of hope remained, but when you got a snapchat from Grayson of them in the car with Cam, it faded too. 

After about an hour you managed to get yourself up off the floor, going through the motions. You hung the boys clothes up in their closets, cleaned up your makeup; it was still your birthday. You were going to try to have a good day if you could. So you went back out to the grocery and bought yourself a cake. A whole ass cake in your favorite flavor, and you had the bakers write “happy birthday to me” on top of it in white icing. 

As you drove back to the house, your sadness started to turn into anger. You didn’t deserve this shit. You deserved to be celebrated on the one fucking day of the year that was about you. And you were happy that Ethan was getting to see his sister - you really were. If he had told you about it and been apologetic that he couldn’t be there for your birthday, you would have understood. But it was so very obvious that he’d completely forgotten, and that was what bothered you the most out of anything. 

When your phone rang with a facetime from him, you knew better than to answer it. You would say something that you really, really regretted. You let it ring through as you pulled in the driveway, carrying your cake inside and sitting it on the counter. Your phone rang again, and you ignored it. 

He seemed to give up, and sent you a text instead.

Hey baby, we ended up needing to get a flight tonight so I should be home around 11 or so your time. didn’t want you to get scared if you heard me. can’t wait to see you, I missed you!

You closed your phone. You didn’t trust yourself to not be an asshole. You knew that as soon as Ethan realized what was going on he was going to feel absolutely terrible. So you didn’t want to be a complete asshole. But... that didn’t mean you couldn’t be a little bit petty. 

So you decided to stay up until he got home. And by stay up, that meant waiting in the kitchen for him with your cake on the counter so he could realize exactly what had happened. Petty. But justified. 

The wait was long, but worth it when you finally heard them coming down the driveway. You started eating the cake, making sure to just get the corners because you wanted the words to stay visible.

The door clicked open and shut, and you heard the rustling of the boys coming in.

“Tell Y/N I said hey if she’s up, I’m going the fuck to sleep,” you heard Grayson explain, not even coming into the kitchen.

Good. You didn’t want him in the middle of all this anyways. 

Ethan almost passed you on his way to his room, but you caught his eye. His entire face lit up when he saw you, and you felt your resolve to be petty crack a little. He was so damn cute, it was hard to stay mad at him. 

“Baby you didn’t need to stay up! I figured you’d gone to sleep early since you didn’t answer earlier,” he grinned, coming over to you. 

“I’m awake.” Your tone stopped him in his tracks - he was on his way to kiss you, no doubt. You were even surprised at how mad you sounded. It wasn’t like you to pick a fight. 

“I can see that. Are you okay?” He was more cautious now, looking around to see if he could figure out what was happening. You gave him a minute before you took another bite of cake to give him a clue.

He looked down at the icing, and you watched him mouth the words as he read it. 

“Did you buy a clearance cake or something? What’s going on? I’m confused.”

“I can wait until you figure it out.” 

You watched the gears turn in his head. When he looked up from the pastry, his eyes were wide. 

“What’s today’s date?” He asked, his voice meek.

“I’ll give you one guess,” you murmured, taking another bite.

“Oh no. Oh no no no no,” he said, hands coming up to his hair. He held his head for a moment, and you noticed that his chest was rising and falling too fast. He stumbled a bit, reaching back to catch himself on the counter. His hand slipped slightly - was he sweating?

You pieced it together immediately. 

Panic attack.

Any anger, any pettiness you had flew out the window. You dropped your fork, running over to him and grabbing his hand. 

“C’mon, come with me Ethan it’s okay,” you said, guiding him as quickly as you could to the room you shared. They always resolved quicker if he was in his most comforting place, so when you got him in the room you immediately guided him to sit on the bed. 

You knelt in front of him, holding his hands in yours. 

“Breathe in while I squeeze, out when I let go, okay? Just like we always do, and it’ll stop. I’m right here,” you reassured him, squeezing his hands. To your relief he was able to take a deep breath in with you, but he exhaled immediately, panic still overriding. 

“You’re. You’re gonna - leave.” He was gasping through the words.

“Ethan I’m right here. I’m right here, I’m not leaving, no matter what. Just breathe baby, just breathe.” 

It took almost 15 minutes to get him fully calmed down, and you only knew it was over when he opened up his arms for you. You climbed onto his lap, no hesitation, wrapping your arms around him. 

It didn’t matter how angry you were - nothing was worse than seeing the man you loved in pain. You couldn’t stand it. 

“I am actually the biggest piece of shit to walk the face of the earth,” he mumbled into your shoulder a few moments later. You shook your head, pressing a kiss to his hair. 

“No you aren’t, I’m -”

“If you apologize, I swear to god,” he cut you off and you fell silent as he sat up and looked at you. “Please, please do not try to make me feel better right now.”

“Then what am I supposed to do?” You asked honestly. You felt guilty that your pettiness had caused him to panic so quickly. 

“Yell at me, scream at me, be fucking pissed off that I literally forgot the most important day of the fucking year,” he said, exasperated. 

“I’m not gonna do that.” You couldn’t do that was the correct answer. “Besides, I already had my fun. With the cake.” 

Ethan looked like he was going to explode.

“So I forget that today is your birthday. Not only do I not have a whole party and surprise for you, but I don’t even say happy birthday. And you spend the entire day alone, while I’m just fucking around on the other side of the country.”

“You were with your family, that’s not fucking around.” 

“While I’m just fucking around on the other side of the United States-” he repeated. “And your revenge on me was to buy yourself a cake...”

“And be petty about it,” you shrugged. He looked at you in disbelief. And honestly, you were surprised at yourself too. You’d been so hurt and mad earlier, but all that anger had left you somehow. Something about being with Ethan put you at peace, even in the most unsettling of situations.

“That wasn’t even being petty! What do you even mean!? How are you not screaming at me right now!?” He practically yelled. 

“I mean yeah, I was sad, but I pretty much hurt my own feelings.”

His face was actually red with frustration.

“Please explain what ridiculous way you’ve convinced yourself of that.”

You hesitated.

“It’s gonna make you sad.” 

He didn’t say anything, and you sighed, knowing he was gonna make you tell him. You looked down, toying with the hem of his shirt as you explained.

“Well, I thought it was kinda weird that you were going home so close to my birthday, so I kinda convinced myself that maybe you were surprising me or something. Like pretending to be gone, but actually you were gonna be here. And you seemed off while you were home, so I thought maybe you were just planning stuff, or maybe you were nervous about pulling it off. And I thought you asked me to go to Louis to get the clothes so you had time to set stuff up. But then when I got back I realized you were still in Jersey. So really it was only bad because I thought something was happening.”

“I am a piece of shit,” he repeated after a moment. 

“What was going on in Jersey that had you acting so weird?” You poised, trying to change the subject. He was going to continue beating himself up over forgetting, and there wasn’t much you could do to stop him, but you were genuinely curious as to what had been going on. You knew him well enough that you were sure that it was something - you’d just assumed wrong when guessing it was about you. 

His arms tightened around you slightly, pulling you to his chest while his cheek rested on your shoulder. Sometimes, he found it easier to talk about things when he wasn’t looking right at you. 

“It was Mom and Dad’s anniversary last week. It’s always really hard for her, and Grayson and I wanted to go see her to make sure she was alright, but we couldn’t get out there on the actual day. But we went to his grave on Tuesday, and I realized I hadn’t been back out there since the funeral. It stirred up a lot of emotions for everybody, but it was really nice being home with my family, even just for a little while. We facetimed with Cam while we were there, and she got upset too and wanted to see everybody so we got her a flight to come up for the day.”

You took a minute to process everything, and then you leaned back so that you could look at Ethan.

“Baby why didn’t you tell me? If I’d known all that I would have told you to stay longer.”

“I just... I didn’t want it to be a big deal. It shouldn’t be a big deal.” 

“Yes it should. Your family is the most important thing to you, it always has been and it always will be. That comes before anything,” you reassured him. “If your mom was having a hard time, you did the right thing by going to see her when you could.”

“My dad always handled everything so well. Always had a million things going on at once and never dropped anything. And I can’t even remember two fucking things.” His voice was getting rougher, and you could tell his throat was tight. You put a hand behind his neck, running your fingers through the hairs at the nape of it.

“I just wish I could be more like him. I always fuck everything up.” 

“You don’t Ethan. You’re more like your dad than you’ll ever know, he raised you to be an amazing man. I see parts of him in you everyday.” 

And for some reason those words broke him down, and he began to sob. You hadn’t seen him cry like that in a while, but when you had, no words could comfort him. So you just held him tightly and let him cry his way through it, running your fingers along his back gently and occasionally pressing a kiss to his temple. 

When he had finally cried himself out he just melted into your shoulder and let you hold him for a while. It was a few more minutes before he spoke.

“This must be a wonderful birthday for you. Your asshole boyfriend forgets about it, then comes home and spends the last hour of it in a panic attack and then bawling like a baby over his dead dad. I sure do know how to bring the party huh.” 

You leaned back to meet his eyes, and he had been so monotone through the whole thing that you couldn’t help but laugh. Your giggle caused him to start to crack, and before you knew it you were both cackling so hard you were crying.

“We’re quite the duo,” you teased, taking his face in your hands and wiping his tears away.

“I really am so sorry baby. I feel terrible.” 

“It’s alright Ethan. You had a reason, and to be honest it was kinda fun being petty for a minute. I don’t get to do it often,” you said. He was already forgiven. To your surprise, instead of arguing, he took your wrist in his hand, turning it to look at the time on your watch. 

11:58

“It’s still your birthday. Can I give you your present?”

“You got me a present?” You perked up.

“Of course I did, I’m not that shitty.”

“Gimme,” you smiled, holding out your hands. He smiled at that, putting his hands on your hips and lifting you off his lap. You watched him as he went to his closet, reaching behind one of his shoe boxes to pull out a small blue wrapped box, followed by an envelope. You made a grabby hand at it, making him chuckle as he handed them over.

“Which one should I open first?” 

“You’re the birthday girl, you decide,” he grinned.

You opted for the envelope, pulling it open and looking inside. There were a few pieces of paper, but you chose the one with Ethan’s handwriting on it first. In his messy scrawl you read:

plus a shopping spree for anything you want to take with us :) 

“Take with us? Where are we going?!” You exclaimed.

“Open the rest of it,” he urged. 

You reached in and found two plane tickets to Maui. 

“Holy shit! We’re going to Hawaii!?” 

“We leave in two weeks. I figured it was about time we went there by ourselves. I got us a nice little villa to stay at, and we’re gonna go clothes shopping for whatever you want. Though, I do request you pick out many, many bikinis.”

You smacked his chest before you kissed him.

“This is too much. Way too much.”

“Not possible. Here, open this one. It’s not as exciting, but I think you’ll still like it.” He passed you the box and ripped off the paper. What else could he have possibly gotten you?

When you pulled open the box, you gasped. It was a beautiful ring, with a raw black crystal on it that had a tiny blue stone nestled in it. It was obviously hand crafted, and it was just your style.

“Ethan this is beautiful,” you said, picking it up and admiring it. “What kind of crystal is this?”

“It’s black tourmaline, and the little stone is zircon, which is my birthstone. Black tourmaline is for protection, so it’s my promise to you that I’m always going to keep you safe.” He took the ring from your hand and slid it onto your finger. 

“I love you,” was the only response you could form as you crawled forward and settled yourself back in his lap. You kissed him hard, trying to say what you wanted without the words. No one had ever gotten you a gift so meaningful. He kissed you back, responding to each move you made, reciprocating as you lead, hands wandering. 

He took you by surprise when he stood up, hands moving to your ass as he lifted you and carried you towards the door.

“Where are we going?” In all honesty, you didn’t care. 

“I’m declaring it birthday week, and we’re celebrating every day. So we’re starting day two with cake.”

“I have sad news.”

His feet stopped and he looked at you, quirking an eyebrow.

“It’s not dairy free.”

He gasped a bit in mock hurt, but it turned into a smile that you kissed off his lips a moment later.

“Well then, I’ll just watch you eat cake and think of all the ways I’m going to spoil you until your next birthday to make up for this one.”

“Sounds like a plan to me.” 

[salexectrian-heir]

messages from last night update

chapter below the cut | ao3 link

✧ Oracle ✧

SEPT 1ST 4:57 AM

[Joker] Hi

[Joker] Story time

[✧ Oracle ✧] i see yusuke returned ur phone

[Joker] Aha, yeah. After swearing on my life I would not make any more poor life choices

[Joker] I assume that was your doing

[✧ Oracle ✧] ur welcome

[Joker] Hmm well I might not have sworn hard enough

[✧ Oracle ✧] ???

[Joker] bet you 500 yen you can’t guess where I woke up this morning (without hacking my location)

[✧ Oracle ✧] oh god akira… jail?

[✧ Oracle ✧] again??!

[Joker] No

[Joker] Better

[✧ Oracle ✧] !!?

[Joker] On the catwalk of the auditorium

[✧ Oracle ✧] BRUH

[✧ Oracle ✧] didnt yusuke like walk u home???

[Joker] He did

[Joker] I just didn’t stay home after

[✧ Oracle ✧] (-_-;)・・・

[✧ Oracle ✧] but don’t they lock up the buildings at night….

[Joker] ...

[✧ Oracle ✧] also i’m p sure catwalks are at least fifteen meters in the air??

[Joker] ...

[Joker] I am surprisingly still very dexterous while intoxicated

[✧ Oracle ✧] o m g

[✧ Oracle ✧] what possessed u to sneak out of the dorm, pick a lock, scale scaffolding, and fall asleep on a metal beam is  / literally /  beyond me

[Joker] Me too, It's all very...fuzzy after getting back to the dorms

[Joker] Maybe I was a cat in a past life

[✧ Oracle ✧] cat!kira

[✧ Oracle ✧] congrats u now have a fursona to add to your growing list of ‘sonas

[Joker] Cat!kira go prrr?

[✧ Oracle ✧] HAHAH a self-drag?

[✧ Oracle ✧] Someone truly is hungover and regretting his life choices

[Joker] Jokes aside, all that flexibility training I did in hs apparently paid off

[Joker] I have no new bruises or injuries that I am aware of so I made it up in one piece. Somehow.

[✧ Oracle ✧] wait hold up I thot all that “training” u’d say u were doing was just like horny akira code for “going to mess around with Sumi after school”

[✧ Oracle ✧] don’t tell me u actually were doing gymnastics with her that whole time

[Joker] Okay

[✧ Oracle ✧] ????

[Joker] You literally just told me not to tell you

[✧ Oracle ✧] but was i right?! i NEED to kno if i was right

[Joker] Haha yes and no

[Joker] We did both

[Joker] is typing...

[✧ Oracle ✧] oKAY OKAY OKAY NO DETAILS (SAVE THOSE FOR ANN)

[✧ Oracle ✧] JUST CONFIRMATION THANK U next

[Joker] You have written fanfic more explicit than anything I could ever tell you I’ve done, AND I PROOF READ IT FOR YOU

[✧ Oracle ✧] ヽ(•//д//•)ノ [ok true]

[✧ Oracle ✧] but

[✧ Oracle ✧] ヽ(•̀//д//•́)ノ

[Joker] Ik Ik, I’m teasing. I won’t corrupt your virginal ears

[✧ Oracle ✧] /anyway/ people r gonna be mad jealous when they find out u dated an olympic gymnast

[Joker] She wasn’t one when we dated though so technically I didn’t

[Joker] She found out she qualified shortly before we went back to being just friends

[Joker] I think we’re both much happier this way

[✧ Oracle ✧] Obviously. you still talk to her??

[Joker] Yeah

[Joker] We caught up before the semester started

[Joker] She said she was nervous, but that’s to be expected when you’re on the global stage. Aside from that she’s fitting in really well with her new teammates. She just wishes Kasumi could have been a part of it

[✧ Oracle ✧] </3

[Joker] Yeah :( </3

[Joker] But she’s good

[Joker] Still calls me senpai though...which idk how to feel about that

[✧ Oracle ✧] lol its ~cute~

[Joker] Hmm leaning towards don’t think so

[✧ Oracle ✧] “oh ~senpai~ you’ll still watch me compete in the olympics on TV right?”

[Joker] ...did you listen in on the call

[✧ Oracle ✧] no

[Joker] “no,” she lied like a liar (I know you still have my phone bugged damn it)

***

The Phantom Thieves of Cats

SEPT 1ST 5:01 AM

[✧ Oracle ✧] *kicks down the door to the thieves den*

[✧ Oracle ✧] INARI U FAILED

[✧ Oracle ✧] GUESS WHERE AKIRA IS

[✧ Oracle ✧] (hint: not where he’s supposed 2 be)

[Fox] Preposterous! He was safely returned to his dorm room. I personally put him to bed.

[Panther] you stayed over in their dorm room Fox… isn’t he in there w/you??

[Fox] is typing...

[Fox] Ah. It appears that I am in his bed and Akira is indeed missing. I was on the floor when we went to sleep. I have no recollection of this transfer.

[Fox] I have awoken Ryuji but all he has done is throw his possessions at me in an attempt to silence my “pestering” so I do not think he will be of any help in this situation.

[Joker] Don’t bother with him Fox. He isn’t responsive until at least 9am after a night out.

[Joker] Also, why aren’t the rest of you sleeping?

[Panther] Joker! you’re alive!!! are you okay???????

[Joker] Define okay

[✧ Oracle ✧] *cackles*

[Panther] where are you?!?

[Joker] You aren’t going to guess?

[Panther] jail?

[Fox] Please let it not be true your detective arrested you last night, and you are suffering in incarceration as we type.

[Joker] Why is jail everyone’s first guess? I was only arrested once!

[Joker] Fuck

[Joker] Also, he is not “my” detective

[Fox] is typing…

[✧ Oracle ✧] u sure about that

[Joker] Oh no

[✧ Oracle ✧] pls reread our messages from last night

[Joker] Oh GOD

[✧ Oracle ✧] *cackles louder*

[✧ Oracle ✧] i can’t wait to hear what inari is about to dish out

[Panther] wait what did akira say to you @ ✧ Oracle ✧?!

[Joker] Futaba please *softly* don’t

[Fox] Last night I had to relieve you of your phone before you texted the detective prince incriminating evidence of your state of inebriation and infatuation. You were adamant that you had to send him a picture of a cat as a token of your feelings, which I objected as the image you selected was not flattering of the cat. I may have just met you a few days ago, so please tell me if I am overstepping my bounds, but I do not think sending hideous pictures of cats is a wise way of winning over this man’s affections.

[✧ Oracle ✧] pls show us the picture he wanted to send

[Fox]

[Panther] Hahahah oh akira

[✧ Oracle ✧]

[Joker] …

[Joker] I’ll be staying at this undisclosed location until further notice

[Panther] no Akira!!! seriously where are you??

[Joker] the_view_is_nice.image

[Panther] :O

[Panther] how did you get up that high???

[✧ Oracle ✧] gymnastics training

[Panther] huh? i didn’t know you were a gymnast Akira!!

[✧ Oracle ✧] im sure he’ll tell u all about it now

[Joker] -____-

[Fox] I cannot believe I failed my first mission as the Chosen One.

[✧ Oracle ✧] i can

[Fox] is typing…

[Panther] @ ✧ Oracle ✧!!!!!!

[✧ Oracle ✧] kek

[Fox] I am an utter disgrace to this friendship. How can I even call this a friendship when I have done nothing but leech from the kindness you all have bestowed upon me. How will I ever be able to show my face among you,  those whom I have failed. I must atone for the shame I have wrought.

[Joker] You didn’t fail @ Fox, and you are not a disgrace. It was my fault. I was the shitty friend in this situation. I’ll make it up to everyone, and to you Fox. I’ll think of something.

[Fox] Food would suffice.

[Joker] Dinner for a week it is.

[Fox] Delightful!

[Panther] wow he got over that fast

[✧ Oracle ✧] welcome to being friends with Inari, the path of forgiveness is through his stomach

***

✧ Oracle ✧

SEPT 1st 5:07 AM

[Joker] Slight problem

[Joker] I actually have no idea how to get down

[✧ Oracle ✧] u really r part f*cking cat

***

Regrettably, some of his life choices last night did him no favors.

Mistakes had been made. Limits and Lessons had been learned. Unfortunately the hard way.

After miraculously finding a way down off the catwalk without injury  into his dorm shower and a fresh set of clothes, Akira managed to show up for his opening shift at Big Bang Blends ten minutes early.

Haru took one look at him when he slinked into the kitchen and immediately said, “Oh dear.”

Akira spun a damp curl around his finger. “That bad, huh?”

“Uhm.” Haru offered him a wobbling, pitiful smile. “You kind of look like how I would imagine a cat that got caught outside in the rain might feel.”

He let out a self-deprecating chuckle and wandered over to the apron rack. “Fair comparison.” Selecting his off its hook, he pulled it over his head. “I’d add on that the cat also got stuck in a tree and developed a splitting migraine.”

“I know just the thing that’ll sort you out!” Haru hovered over to Akira’s side. “Whenever I--” she paused, considering her words with a finger to her lip, “overindulge,” she settled on with a giggle, “I’ll make myself a cup of my special tea. It instantly clears my head and calms my stomach.”

Akira’s stomach rolled unpleasantly. “ Special tea ?”

Haru nodded vigorously. “It works like a charm! And I’m not just saying that because I drink it, I have a friend--well, I might be overstepping if I were to call him that, we aren’t that close,” Haru sighed, “but I make it for him too when he occasionally stumbles in here in a similar state.”

“Do I want to know what’s in it?” he asked hesitantly.

Haru beamed brightly at him. “No.”

Akira groaned.

“I promise it’ll work,” Haru said, wandering out of the kitchen and over to her collection of loose leaf teas that were displayed in clear, sealed jars behind the counter. She called back to him, “You’ll perk up in no time!”

He gave her a weak thumbs up.

Picking up the task list from the side of the walk in freezer, he resigned himself to his fate of ingesting whatever the fuck concotion Haru was going to feed him. It couldn’t have been worse than what he drank last night. In all honesty, he would have been feeling way, way, worse if Yusuke hadn’t convinced him to drink so much water when they got back. Akira would like to think the fact he wasn’t curled up on the floor in the fetal position on the cafe floor was also thanks in part to the Amazake he had chosen to drink the night prior too. But the thought of the non-alcoholic sake made his stomach churn harder so he stopped that train of thought immediately, and focused on setting up the dining area.  His head felt like it weighed five pounds heavier than it usually did, which made moving it a bit of a hassle, but he had the opening sheet to finish before the cafe opened and he’d damn himself if he didn’t deliver.

What his stomach did seem safe to think about was luck stats, and that maybe Futaba was onto something when she had made that off hand comment in their chat last night. Akira was incredibly lucky to have landed two bosses ( three if he counted Sojiro but the man was more like a father than he ever was a boss) who cared more about his well being as a person than as a source of cheap labor. Watching Haru make his tea as he flipped chairs down off the tables only amplified his guilt of showing up before her utterly and unmistakably hungover.

Being the sloppy friend did not sit well with Akira.

He swore to himself as he pushed in the last chair he took down that this was the first and last time he ever did anything as stupid and irresponsible as he did last night. Not to mention, his luck wouldn’t last if he kept this up. He’d make it up to everyone somehow, and Haru in particular now. He wouldn’t let his current state impact his work.

And once he stopped feeling like dogshit and could form a coherent argument, he was going to have a long, hard talk with whichever one of his personas decided it would be great fucking idea to drink so much, scale the interior of the theatre, and fall asleep on a steel beam no greater than sixty centimeters in width. Because honestly, what the fuck ?

Even In high school, his “peak stupidity” years, he hadn’t done anything as dumb as this.

Okay, well, that was a lie.

He had done a lot of stupid, often illegal things (see: petty theft, breaking and entering) in high school that to him, had been justified. He was quite gifted at stealing and knew his way around a lock with professional proficiency, and he had gotten away with it unscathed for a very long time.

Except for the whole getting arrested and put on probation thing , which ironically had been for a crime he didn’t actually commit.

“It’s ready!”

“Thanks, Haru.”

Akira swung by the to-go counter reaching for the mystery tea waiting for him and continued on.

After thirty minutes of sipping on whatever miracle cure Haru brewed as he checked off the morning set up tasks, it fucking kicked in. The mind fog and nausea disappeared almost entirely, settling his stomach enough that he was able to keep down some Advil and melon pan with Haru for breakfast. Akira could handle the headache until the medicine took over.

He just couldn’t move too fast or too sudden (Akira was still a little too off balance for that), or turn his neck sharply (thanks to what he had drunkenly decided to use as a pillow the night before). But he powered through it as he set about stocking the various coffee beans in their containers.

The last item on the task sheet they completed together. Prepping the food items for the pastry case with all of the baked goods Haru had made the night before. In addition to mochi, goma dango, and other pastries one would expect to enjoy with tea and coffee, there was always some kind of cake. Meticulously and lovingly decorated, sliced by hand that Haru showcased in her cake display. Today’s selection was a daring one, a pink lemonade cake with delicately applied ombre pink frosting and topped with candied lemon slices that were evenly spaced, each sitting on an artful dollop of whipped white icing.

“Did you want to try a piece, Akira-kun?”

Akira glanced over from where he was sliding a tray of nerikiri into the case. A plate with a modest slice was being extended to him. Eyeing the color up close, his stomach protested. Apparently still a little too hungover to test the limits of his digestive tract with such an extravagant confection.

“It looks amazing, but I think I’ll stick to the melon pan this time Haru.”

“I can always save it for la--”

A sharp series of knocks interrupted their conversation.

From his position squatting on the floor, he checked the time on his phone. There were still five minutes until the cafe officially opened for the day. Haru had warned him there were always a few people who showed up early and failed to read the sign.

“I’ll get it,” Akira sighed, sliding the door of the pastry case shut. “You finish with the cake. I’ll handle our impatient caffeine addict.”

“Oh don’t worry the cake’s all done, I just cut the last slice.” Haru waved Akira off. “I can get him.”

Him?

He hastily straightened up, brushing a few stray sugary crumbs off his apron and immediately looked over at the entrance. Every muscle in his body seized up. Waiting outside the glass doors was one impeccably dressed and restless looking Akechi Goro. Akechi rolled his shoulder, adjusting the strap of his messenger bag while he checked his phone.

The message Akira sent Akechi last night intrusively echoed in his head the moment the former detective looked up and locked eyes with him. Pocketing his phone into his suit jacket (it had to be custom fit, because there was no way it could have cut his figure that well without tailoring), he lifted his chin ever so slightly. Akechi’s expression twisted wickedly into something that short circuited Akira’s brain.

Oh.

Fuck .

A war waged between two primal instincts in Akira’s body at the sight, the overwhelming urge to run in the face of danger clashing with a tidal wave of lust. The rush coursed through his veins, freezing him in place. Much like prey that had been cornered, his heart began to thrash against his ribs.

Akechi’s grin was sharp and salacious, a stark contrast to the innocent and winsome smile that the T.V. ready Prince so often wore. Akira didn’t know him all that well (... yet ), but God , that smile just seemed to suit Akechi so much better.

Akira got to witness this side of Akechi knowing it was reserved for only him for about two whole seconds before Akechi’s face changed, shifting into his composed, manufactured doll-like mask when Haru made it over to let him in.

The transformation gave Akira something pretty close to whiplash.

Really arousing whiplash.

“Good morning Akechi-san,” she greeted him, holding the door open with a warm smile.

“And same to you, Okumura-san,” he returned politely, stepping past her and into the cafe proper. “Pardon my early arrival, I have quite the busy day planned unfortunately and was hoping to get a jump start.” He brushed aside a few strands of hair that had fallen into his eyes with a gloved hand. “I hope your morning has been going well.”

“It’s barely started,” Akira muttered, reaching for a to-go cup to start Akechi’s order to busy himself with so he wouldn’t stare at the breathtakingly handsome man in front of him. His heart needed a break already.

Instead of writing Akechi’s name, he doodled a pair of handcuffs with the bold letters A and G within the negative space in each cuff (Akira admired his work for a brief moment and thought Yusuke would be proud). He marked the drink as a caramel latte, recalling what Haru had put down on his cup yesterday. Then proceeded to make a pour over instead.

Haru flipped the sign to open, and then said, “Very well, so far! I tried out a new cake recipe, you have to try it.”

Akechi laughed, and Akira’s stomach clenched--but this time in an all too pleasant way. Akira diverted his attention from grinding the beans for his drink to watch the detective ( Fuck! ) The sound was light and lyrical, and after what Akira witnessed… sounded totally out of place coming out of the same mouth that had held that smug, voracious grin a moment ago.

“As much as I would love to, I must decline. I cannot get into the habit of having cake for breakfast.”

“Then you must take a slice with you!” Haru walked past him and over to her cake display, lifting the glass lid and taking a piece out.

“Alright, if you insist,” Akechi conceded, coming to a stop in front of Akira, who moved on to scooping the grounds into the damp filter. The proximity made it near impossible to keep his eyes off the detective, but Akira somehow managed it, forcing himself to pay attention to his pour.

“Actually, would you mind if I borrowed your barista for a moment, Okumura-san?”

Akira snapped his head up from his preparations and met Akechi’s eyes once more ( God damnit! ). Which was a really dumb idea as a shock of pain spiked down his neck. He bit the inside of his cheek to stop from wincing.

A dangerous glint appeared in that maroon gaze that catapulted Akira’s thundering heart into his throat.

“Is he in trouble?” Haru peered over her shoulder from where she was packing a bright pink slice of cake into a to-go container.

“He might be,” Goro murmured just loud enough for Akira to hear, then broke their eye contact to address Haru, “I assure you, nothing of the sort.” He smiled that infuriatingly fake smile at her, complete with an innocent tilt of his head. “I just need to ask him a few questions, in private.”

Haru shot Akira a questioning stare, Do you need me to say no?

He shrugged nonchalantly, or as nonchalantly as someone who was having a very intense internal meltdown over an insanely attractive man could, and said, “It’s fine, Haru.” He continued to pour the scalding water in a circular motion over the coffee grounds in the filter, doing his best to quiet all the alarm bells in his head.

His response must have come off convincingly enough because Haru nodded and said, “Well, I can’t see why that would be a problem.” She hesitantly returned Akechi’s smile. “But I will need him back in a bit when the morning rush hits.”

“This shouldn’t take too long,” Akechi turned and gestured to a table in the corner of the cafe--far away enough from the counter that Haru couldn’t possibly overhear their conversation. Then under his breath he added, “As long as Kurusu-kun doesn’t resist, that is.”

Akira cleared his throat, willing his throbbing heart to drop back into its cage between his ribs. “Go on, I”ll join you when I’m finished.”

Akechi nodded, leaving the yen for his coffee on the counter and sauntered away. Akira topped off the pour over and transferred the liquid into the to-go cup. On his way around the counter he snagged what was left of his miracle tea and took a swig. He hoped it would replenish his mental reserves to handle the upcoming verbal sparring match he was sure he was about to walk into.

Akechi, in his immaculate glory, was leaning back in his chair languidly with one dark clad leg crossed. He watched Akira closely as he wandered over with their drinks. Akira suddenly felt incredibly out classed and underdressed in his usual cardigan-v neck combo he had going on compared to Akechi’s tan suit jacket and pressed button down shirt.

He slid into the seat opposite Akechi and pushed his coffee across the table. Akechi nodded in thanks and brought it to his lips.

Akira pretended he didn’t watch the way Akechi’s throat moved as he swallowed his first sip.

The detective hummed approvingly. “Black.”

“The way you actually like it,” Akira said with a knowing smile. “Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me.”

“Is it now,” Akechi chuckled darkly against the lid still pressed to his lips. “Sadly, my coffee preferences are the extent of where your knowledge of me ends.”

In the tenuous silence that descended after that statement, they sipped at their respective drinks. Gazes not once wavering off one another.

“I assume you know why I’m here,” Akechi finally said, cutting the tension.

“When I said ‘come get me ’ I didn’t mean ‘corner me at work ’,” Akira hissed over his cup of miracle tea.

He could think of many other, far more superior places he would have loved to be cornered by Akechi in. But Akira kept that part to himself.

The detective leaned forward, resting his chin on his fist. “You do realize if this were a real investigation and I caught you as unaware as you were this morning, you being at work with your Boss present wouldn’t have deterred me.”

Akira stole a glance at Haru, who was busy writing the specials of the day on their blackboard, then drained the rest of his tea.

Akechi followed his gaze and continued on in a saccharine tone that contradicted the alluring smile his mouth had split into again, “But since it’s not, I highly doubt you want an audience for when I bend you over the counter and take what I want from you.”

Akira promptly choked.

Any lingering doubt Akira may have had about Akechi’s preferences evaporated. Akechi knew exactly what he was saying. He had to have, right? There was no heterosexual explanation for that response.

Point to Akechi, he thought, accepting the fact his face was probably as red as the flowering plant hovering three inches above his head.

“How considerate,” Akira managed to rasp once he got his tea to go down his throat correctly. Swallowing burned like a bitch. Now he had to deal with a sore throat on top of the rebellion being staged by his heart and stomach, and the leftover vertigo from his hangover.

“Will you hand it over now?” the detective asked with a hint of sugar coated venom.

“Hate to disappoint, but you’ll be walking away empty handed this morning. I left it in my room.”

Which wasn’t a lie. In his haste to recover from last night’s  escapade and get to work on time, he hadn’t thought to grab the handkerchief. The last thing he expected was this.

“I think you’re sending me mixed signals.”.

“Am I?”

“You tell me you want one thing, then act like you didn’t expect it to come to fruition when I follow through on it so I’m curious,” Akechi titled his head and his hair shifted, shining ethereally in the early morning sun streaming through the window. “What is it you really want, Kurusu?”

For you to fuck my brains out, Akira thought. But admitting that so bluntly to Akechi’s face felt like defeat. So, he kept the stupid illusion of their game going and leaned in.

“I want to see if the Detective Prince is really as good at his job as the rumors say he is.” Akira mirrored the detective’s head tilt and offered him a crooked grin. “I won’t be that easy.”

“If you want me to physically remove it from your person, then I must insist from this point forward you carry it with you. If every time I corner you, you… aren’t ready,” Akechi’s smile grew wider, “then doesn’t that defeat the purpose? And unlike you it seems, my time and attention is limited.”

“Rude.” Akira mimicked the detective’s posture, dropping his chin into his palm. “My time is limited too. I just can’t have you stalking me at work. And--” what Akira really meant to say next was , I cannot possibly work and retain my sanity with you watching me like that all the time. But instead said, “--Think of Okumura-san’s business. You’ll scare away her customers.”

Akechi shot him an unimpressed look. “Somehow I highly doubt that.”

Wow. Cocky bastard.  

"Well,” Akira said, changing tactics by imbuing a little bit of truth, “I imagine you can relate to not wanting to be distracted at work, with your fans and all.”

“They can be...rather inconvenient at times, yes.” Akechi studied him intently. “Alright then. Let’s make a deal.”

“Making a deal with the enemy? Akechi,” Akira feigned a gasp, “don’t tell me you’re a dirty cop.”

The detective snorted into his coffee. “I’m going to choose not to entertain that comment and suggest we establish some ground rules.”

“I thought rules didn’t exist in investigations,” Akira said mischievously.

“Like I previously stated, good thing this isn’t one, then?”

They shared a private smile.

“I propose this,” Akechi said, straightening up, hands clasped on the table. “From this point on, you will carry it on your person. I will catch you off guard within the next two weeks and take back what is rightfully mine. Our working hours are exempt from this. Obviously, the common spaces in the dormitory will be too by default. Should you ever need me as your RA, that will come first and foremost, I take my duties seriously. As should you. I think you’ll find these terms agreeable and respectful of each other’s time. Unless there are any other locations you want to deem off limits.”

Akira made a show of considering Akechi’s words, tapping a finger against his cheek. This was literally the most drawn out, intellectually charged foreplay Akira had ever engaged in but he couldn’t say it didn’t excite him. In fact, there was something exhilarating about it.  

“No. Everywhere else is fair game.”

“Really?” Akechi inquired, grin breaching that rapacious territory again. “Be careful what you agree to, Kurusu.”

Akira shrugged and leaned back.

“So,” Akechi prompted, “you won’t say no, will you?”

Of course he was going to accept. So Akira simply said, “I think I’ll hold on to your handkerchief.” And then held out his hand. It felt like the right thing to do.

“Hah, excellent,” Akechi smiled and shook it firmly. The leather was soft and warm as it dragged against Akira’s palm. “Otherwise, I will be forced to order a room inspection and somehow I doubt that is how you want this to play out.”

“If you are inspecting the room while I’m in it, then I might be.”

Right after the words left his mouth, the logical part of his brain that wasn’t stuck on being hungover and horny on main finally spoke up and reminded him of the very important, expulsion worthy, major cockblock that was currently being housed in his room: Morgana.

But then Akechi’s mouth upturned devilishly, and suddenly Akira decided he’d cross that furry bridge when he got to it.

“Well, then. I must be off. Thank you for the coffee,” Akechi said, dropping Akira’s hand as he stood up. “I have an interview taping in…” he checked his phone and sighed, “just over an hour. Hopefully the trains are on schedule.”

Akira tilted his head. “Still doing those?”

“Yes, keeping up appearances on behalf of the precinct,” Akechi explained, “I may be officially on hiatus as a full time student, but I still pick up cases from time to time. The media wants to know how I balance it all.”

“Ah. Explains the get up.”

Akechi bristled at the comment, his nose wrinkling ( cute! ) and brows drawing down as he straightened his already perfectly straight tie. “What’s wrong with my outfit?”

“Nothing,” Akira teased with a lilt in voice, “It’s nice, maybe a little stuffy.” He deliberately looked Akechi up and down. “But I bet you’d look better out of it, judging by what I saw you wear the last time you showed up here.” He couldn’t fight the coy smile his mouth twisted into even if he tried. “If you’re looking to show off, those shorts from yesterday would do a better job.”

The call out was meant to fluster Akechi, but the detective’s face remained remarkably even toned. Flawless even. Too flawless.

Could he be... he's totally wearing makeup.

Akira lifted a brow pointedly.

That did the trick, earning Akira a heated glare before Akechi turned his head sharply away. The movement roughly shifted the hair around his face, revealing a sliver of skin previously hidden. To Akira’s rapidly dawning delight, the detective’s neck was rapidly turning pink.

“Shut. Up. Kurusu.”

Oh, so Akechi blushes all the way down when he’s flustered. Fascinating. Akira filed the thought away for… later.

For totally innocent purposes.

Totally.

Akira stood up and slipped in front of Akechi, demanding to be looked at. Giddy with his new discovery. “Oh? What’s this? He can dish it out but can’t take it?”

Akechi’s eyes flashed as he brought himself up to his full height, and stepped into Akira’s space. Scowling down the few centimeters he had on him, he forced Akira to take a step back. “You,” he said lowly, continuing to move forward, making Akira walk backwards until his back hit the counter, “are a brat .”

“Just figuring that out now, detective?” Akira smirked. “I thought that was obvious.”

From this close Akira could see just how gorgeous the detective’s eyes truly were. Flecks of light red dotted the center most part of his eyes, giving off the illusion of glittering in the light. He was close enough that if Akira leaned in a fraction more their noses would touch.

A very polite, soft cough came from somewhere on Akira's right.

The detective’s eyes widened in shock. He quickly put space between them again and turned to face Haru, who was standing in between the kitchen and the counter area looking anywhere but at them.

Akira owed her now a second apology.

“I wish both of you a good day,” Akechi gracefully recovered and turned on his heel. He flexed his shoulders as he opened the door but stopped with one foot out the door.

“Oh, and Kurusu-kun?” Akechi turned halfway to face him, “Be sure to check your email this afternoon.”

And then he was gone.

***

It’s Always Snack Time in Tokyo

SEPT 1ST  8:00 AM

[Takuto Maruki] Hello! I was going to wait until I saw you in person, but I can’t resist telling you the good news! I submitted the paperwork to bring on an official research assistant. The chair of the department should grant me an answer by the end of the week. The position is yours once I get the documented approval.

[Takuto Maruki] That is, if you are still interested in conducting research with me like you did over the summer

[Akira Kurusu] I am

[Takuto Maruki] Even more wonderful!

[Akira Kurusu] Won’t it be unethical if you don’t let other people apply for the position though?

[Akira Kurusu] You can’t play favoritism

[Takuto Maruki] I, fortunately, get to make the rules in this situation and I wrote that I could appoint the position to any student that met certain criteria and showed promise in the field

[Akira Kurusu] You literally wrote the position description so that only I fit that criteria, didn’t you

[Takuto Maruki] You would be correct! :D

[Takuto Maruki] So if you’re free and want to get a jump start on assisting, I was hoping to recruit you this upcoming Friday to proctor an exam.

[Akira Kurusu] An exam? The second week of class? Savage Sensei

[Takuto Maruki] It is a 300 level that meets M/W/F so the curriculum moves fast. This cohort in particular is grasping the concepts at a much faster rate than the other two I teach for this course.

[Akira Kurusu] When is it? I open the cafe Friday mornings

[Takuto Maruki] 2pm

[Akira Kurusu] Okay, I can make that work. I’ll be there

[Takuto Maruki] Wonderful! :)

***

The Phantom Thieves of Cats

SEPT 1st 11:12 AM

[Skull] yo i am not back readin any of that

[Skull] wat did i miss?

✧ Oracle ✧  Changed Skull to Edgelord Can’t Read

[Edgelord Can’t Read] I CAN EFFIN’ READ!!!

[Edgelord Can’t Read] i said i wasn’t gonna, not that i cant big difference

[Edgelord Can’t Read] ur the one who cant read

[✧ Oracle ✧] wow gr8 comeback edgelord im so offended. what r we 7yrs old

[Edgelord Can’t Read] shuddup

***

Gotta Go Fast

SEPT 1st 11:28 AM

[Skull] BRO A CATWALK?! WTF?!?

[Skull] how the eff did u get down??

[Joker] My amazing cat-like reflexes

[Skull] bro

[Skull] how u feelin btw

[Joker] You know that feeling you get when you’re about to go over the hill on a rollercoaster?

[Joker] Like that

[Skull] oof

[Skull] ill make u my ma’s soup when ur shifts over, its the best for this kinda shit

[Joker] Why is everyone being so understanding with me today

[Skull] were ur friends man we gotchu

[Joker] alsdjflskf

[Skull] uh did the rollercoaster drop or smth

[Joker] Haha no

[Joker] Thanks Ryuji

***

The Phantom Thieves of Cats

SEPT 1st 2:01 PM

[Edgelord Can’t Read] UH HOLY SHIT EVERYONE CHECK UR EMAILS

[Panther] what?? why??

[✧ Oracle ✧] im surprised u even read ur email

[Joker] Oh.

[Joker] Fuck.

***

To: Shujin Hall_5th Floor

From: Akechi Goro; Niijima Makoto

CC: Kawakami Sadayo

Subject: Violation of Dormitory Rules

Dear Fifth Floor Residents of Shujin Hall,

This is a friendly reminder that there is a strict No Pets Policy in this Residence Hall. A contraband item, a can of pet food, was located on the floor inside the trash room on Friday night. As such, we will be conducting room inspections beginning tomorrow, starting with rooms located in the Girls’ Wing. Let this be an example to all that the consequences for violating this rule will be termination of their dormitory agreement and the loss of their on campus housing status. Any additional charges will be determined by the Residence Hall Director, Kawakami Sadayo.

If you have any further information on this subject, please feel free to contact us.

We hope you have a wonderful rest of your weekend.

Sincerely,

Your Resident Assistants

Akechi Goro

University of Tokyo | Class of 20XX Criminal Justice / Psychology Major | Philosophy Minor AG710341@mail.u-tokyo.ac.jp

Niijima Makoto

University of Tokyo | Class of 20XX Criminal Justice Major | Psychology & Law Minor NM798448@mail.u-tokyo.ac.jp

[jungonesworld]

Why?

Part 2

"Where were you?!" Jake shouted as you came back. You and Heeseung fell asleep and woke up around 9am. Heeseung then had to take you back home because he noticed that you were shaking whole night. In the morning, you were sneezing and Heeseung was scared that you're maybe sick. And he felt like it was his fault. "I found her in forest just few minutes before I called you," Heeseung said and you felt how your heart was breaking. "Hey! Hee-," you started but Heeseung stopped you. "I asked her if she doesnt wanna visit you in work, more like surprise for you. I told her where we'll meet and I also told her to wait there for me...but i forgot about her. Then I realised she's maybe still there so i ran there and I found her there shaking and sneezing." You wanted to kill Heeseung but after this, you just couldn't. You understood that he wanna keep your relationship private. "Oh, Heeseung, thanks but on the other hand...how could you forget about her?!" Jake was angry but you stopped his anger by sentence: "Jake, I need cuddles."

The next day, you and Heeseung decided to go on date, much better date. He checked weather carefully before asking you out. Really carefully. "So, as I read, it's about to rain from 6pm to 7pm. So if we go out now, we can be back home half an hour before it'll start to rain, hm?" Heeseung asked and you were looking at him so confused. "Um, yeah, I think so," you said and smiled. You were glad that there's person, which cares about you. That's something that haven't happened since you're with Jake but now you finally know the feeling of someone caring about you. "Um and where are we going?" you asked and Heeseung stopped. "Um, haha, that's little bit embarrassing since I dont know," he said and laughed. You also laughed but started to think. Where can you two go, where Jake or anyone else who knows about your and Jake's relationship, won't see you? You got it! "I know where," you said and took Heeseung by his hand to place no one else, except you and Jake, know about.

"Wow!" Heeseung said and you just smiled. You took him to same place where Jake took you for your first date. It was wooden bridge in the treetops. "Further is also something like playground but I wanted to have romantic date. And that's place where Jake took me for first date," you felt like it was mistake to mention Jake and your first date in this place, but Heeseung didnt mind it. "Oh, that's...great." That's all he said. "I-I'm sorry if it hurt you or anything. I just dont wanna hide anything from you," you tried to make it look like an apology. But reality was that you just wanted excuse for staying in this place and remember your memories with Jake. But, why? You haven't felt love to Jake anymore or...did you? Well, you didnt know what's happening with you. "No, no, Y/n. That's okay, I understand you. In the end, it's my fault that I cared more about weather than about our date," Heeseung said and you felt bad for how you acted. What if your actions hurt him? 'I hope it didn't,' you told yourself and tried to believe in it. "So, um, let's talk about something else. How was your day?" you asked and stepped on first stair to bridge. As you were going up, you started to feel weak. Your legs started to shake and you were breathing heavily. You fainted but, luckily, Heeseung caught you.

"Where am I?" you asked as you woke up in hospital. You sat and turned around to look for someone. But as you turned, you haven't noticed injection in your arm."Ouch." "Oh, Y/n!" Doors opened and someone hugged you. You knew whose perfume you smelled. It was Jake. "I was so worried about you. Do you feel better? Are you okay? Arent you gonna die? Oh, please no, what am I going I do without my angel. I just wanna say that I lo-," you stopped him by kiss. He was unbelievably worried, that's not Jake you knew for years. That's someone better. Much better. "Yes. Yes. No. I'm not gonna die. And I love you too, baby," you answered and you could see how stone fell of off his heart. How could you agree to date Heeseung when you have the best boyfriend ever? You felt like the only right thing is to break up with Heeseung and tell Jake about it but ask him to forgive you. Maybe he just noticed how you and Heeseung are close and he doesn't want to lost you. Maybe.

After Jake left hospital for work, you called Heeseung. You wanted to break up. And you were sure about it. You heard someone knocking on door. "Come in," you shouted and Heeseung walked there. He already knew what you wanted to do since you told him that Jake was here and was worried. "So, you wanna do it now or when?" Heeseung asked and you told him only one word: "Now." Heeseung looked so sad but then laughed. "Hey, why are you laughing?" you were confused. You two just broke up. "Sorry, sorry...I just...I knew our relationship won't last for long. And I laughed because of how you said that. It's just break up, nothing else." You were mad. So he just played with your heart. And you risked your relationship with Jake for him. "Leave," you couldn't stand him for even just a second. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didnt mean to-." "Leave!" You shouted and his smile dropped. He was sad. But he listened to you and left. Unluckily, as he opened door, you saw Jake. How much he heard? He maybe didnt understand that you just broke with boy you were cheating with on him. Or maybe he did? "Jake!" you sat and tried to stand up to run to Jake. You successfully stood up but...running to Jake? Um, no. You still felt extremely weak. But you moved. One step, second step. "No, Y/n, sit down, please," Jake came to you and helped you sit back on your bed. "Jake, I'm so sorry, I'm stupid bi-," you started to cry but he just kissed you. "I knew you're maybe cheating on me since it was weird to me that you were always out and that you were so close to Heeseung...suddenly. But I dont judge you. I'm not perfect and I realised that I was bad boyfriend but I'm trying my best to change. Can you forgive me please?" You haven't expected this even in the best dream. "I...babe, there's nothing to forgive you but I am the one who should ask if you'll forgive me." "Angel, I need you in my life. Wanna try it again?" You started to cry again but from happiness. You couldn't be happier. Jake hugged you so tight and you both fell asleep.

"Hey! Where are you going?! You're scared?!" someone shouted and you woke up. You saw Heeseung with flowers in his hand and Jake shouting at him. Jake was mad and Heeseung looked confused. "Jake, it's not how it looks like. Otherwise, YOUR girlfriend woke up," Heeseung said and pointed at you. As Jake was looking at you, Heeseung just put flowers on your bed and left. "W-what happened?" "Angel, he came here to give you flowers. I-i dont wanna lost you. That's why I was mad. He always use his handsome appearance and height for getting girls but I dont want him to get my girlfriend again," Jake said and you noticed tear falling down of his cheek. "Babe...He won't get me back. I'm with you, he needs to understand it," you tried to make Jake sure. It hurt you seeing him crying since it has never happened before. "I love you," you told him quietly and kissed him on his forehead. He smiled and answered: "I love you too, princess."

The other day, you could go back home. You were sad, that Jake hasn't told you he will come for you so you called Heeseung. Of course, it was mistake. Big mistake.

[farfromtommy]

Could you do a Chris Evans x reader where reader is a famous actress in the MCU and they’re best friends and they’re in love with each other but neither one knows and reader has to stay at Chris’ cause of the weather for a few days and it’s all angsty and eventual fluff

After All This Time

A/N: I’m so sorry this request took so long to do, I had no idea how to do this but I finally had a breakthrough with it and was able to do it the way you requested. I hope you enjoy it!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Word Count: 3,040

Warnings: angst, cheating boyfriend, language, fluff  

masterlist

Chris Evans is by far, the greatest person in your life. You met him a couple of years ago when you were cast in an Avengers movie. Ever since then, you two have been inseparable. You were his best friend on and off screen, and he was yours. The chemistry between you two was undeniable, everyone saw it. You were always spotted in public together. Whether it was eating at a restaurant or going to theme parks.  The way you were with each other, you could easily be mistaken for a couple. Most of the time you were paired up together during press releases, and there was always a question that came up about your friendship.

You’d be lying if you said you didn’t have some sort of romantic feelings for him, of course you did. And it would be also be a lie if he said he didn’t have feelings for you, too. You had been there for each other through everything. No matter how many times you were told “Just go for it. You both are obviously in love with each other. You always have been. What do you have to lose?”, neither of you ever did anything about your feelings, afraid the other person didn’t feel the same way. It was your biggest fear. Losing Chris terrified you in every way. 

There had been a period of a couple months when Chris had been dating someone, and she immediately did not want you around. Chris hadn’t noticed her controlling his relationship with you until he realized one night that he hadn’t had an actual conversation with you in 2 months. He broke up with her instantly and flew to go see you and apologized for being such an ass and letting some chick come in between your friendship. 

The couple of boyfriends you have had since knowing Chris had problems with him instantly. They never liked the fact that he was always around or how you always talked about him. No matter how many times you said “He’s my best friend”, they never accepted it. You always ended the relationship the minute he asked you to stop talking to Chris, but Chris never knew that. You know how guilty he’d feel if he knew he was basically the reason your relationships always ended. You always just said that you were too different or that it just didn’t work out. 

Chris was always there for you for every breakup. No matter where he was or what he was doing, you always managed to spend a couple of days with him. You watched trashy comedies and ate too much junk food on his couch for a couple days and spent every waking moment with him. 

This breakup had been particularly rough. You had met the one guy who never had a problem with your friendship. Josh was very supportive of you having someone in your corner and loved how well he treated you. Chris always respected the boundaries and never pushed his limits, so there was no issue. Chris hit it off with him, too. They got along really well and always seemed to have a good time whenever they were around each other. You loved seeing your boyfriend and best friend together. 

After a year of dating Josh you surprised him at work for your 1 year anniversary with some lunch. You went up to his office and knocked on the door before opening it and once you saw him making out with his half dressed coworker on his desk. Without saying anything you dropped everything in your hands and ran out the building, ignoring the pleads from Josh. You immediately got in your car and called Chris. 

“Y/N! How did the anniversary surprise go?” His voice rang through the phone. A sob left your mouth as you rested your forehead against your steering wheel, tears flowing.

“What’s wrong? What happened?” Chris’ voice laced with concern. 

“H-he’s cheating on m-me! W-with some g-girl from w-work!” You continued sobbing with the phone pressed against your ear. 

“Oh, Y/N. I’m so sorry. Did he tell you that he was or did you find something?” He asked. You took a few deep breaths to try and calm down before you continued.

“I went to his office and when I opened the door he was making out with his coworker. Half her clothes gone and his tongue down her throat.” You said, tears still freely falling. 

“What a fucking asshole. He’s lucky that I can’t go over there and rip him to shreds.” Chris spat. “Do you need me to go back? I can probably find a flight back tonight. I don’t want you to be alone.” He said calmly. You could hear him tapping on his computer, probably looking for flights back to LA. He was currently in Boston for a couple weeks in between filming. 

“I was thinking maybe I can fly out to you? I don’t want to be here, Josh knows where I go when I’m upset and I don’t want to deal with him right now. Plus I heard Boston is pretty nice this time of year. I’m tired of this 80 degree weather in January business.” You chuckled a little. You leaned back in your seat and closed your eyes. 

“I think that’s a great idea. My mom has been telling me nonstop how much she wants you to fly out here and see everyone again. I’ll book a flight for you. I’ll be at the airport to pick you up, okay?” He said. 

“Thank you, Chris. I don’t know what I would do without you.” You sighed. 

~

You’ve been in Boston with Chris for the past couple of days trying to come to terms with the fact that your relationship with Josh is over. You talked to him on the phone after not answering his dozens of calls and messages and decided that the relationship could never recover from what happened and you were better off not being with him anymore. 

Chris sat next to you on his couch as you hung up the phone, wrapping his arms around you as sobs left your mouth. After the 3 days or so, although you were still sad, you had started to become angry and frustrated. 

“I thought I had finally found a good one. I really did. I thought we were going to be in it for the long run.” You sighed, running your hand across Dodger’s soft fur. He had his head on your lap, almost like he could sense you needed to be comforted and loved. “We talked about moving in together and getting married and starting a family. At this point I might as well just settle for being a crazy catlady and give up on finding someone to settle down with. I’m almost 30 for fucksake.” You scoffed. 

“You’re going to find someone Y/N. I have no doubt that your perfect guy is out there somewhere.” He smiled slightly at you. It hurt him more than anything seeing you so upset, he wanted nothing more than to see you happy. Josh made you happy, but you seemed to always have hesitations in your relationship with him. 

Although you had talked about your future with Josh, there was something holding you back from fulfilling those hopes and dreams with him. Something inside of you always held back from moving forward with Josh. He had asked you to move in with him right before your anniversary, but you told him you weren’t ready for that and told him to bring it up before the end of the year. 

He had asked you about getting married and the possibility of him proposing to you, but you dismissed it and avoided any further questions about it. You always feared that as soon as you started to settle down that Chris would suddenly realize that he had feelings for you and would confess it, and you couldn’t do anything about it. It was silly. You felt like it was your fault that Josh cheated on you. Maybe he was tired of waiting for you. 

You sat there in your thoughts for a while, absentmindedly petting Dodger. You looked over at Chris and saw his gaze focused on the TV in front of you. You had your legs tossed over his thighs, your back against the side of the couch, Dodger tucked between your legs and the back of the couch. 

Chris had his hands resting on your legs, one by your knee and another by your ankle. You were both under respective blankets, shielding yourself from the cold. It seemed so domestic to you. You had always done this sort of thing with Josh but it just never felt right. You never felt like you were at home whenever you were with him. 

“I should probably get some sleep. I’ve got a long day of traveling tomorrow.” You sighed deeply, sliding your legs off of his and moving the blanket from your body. You stood up from your spot on the couch and stretched your muscles a bit. Chris stood up with you and wrapped his arms around your shoulders, bringing you closer to him. You wrapped your arms around his waist put your head against his chest. 

“You’re going to get that family, Y/N. You’ll settle down with the perfect guy and have everything you’ve ever wanted. I’m sorry Josh is such an asshole and didn’t realize what he was losing. You deserve so much better than that piece of shit and you’re going to get it. I have no doubt.” He said to you. You teared up a little bit at his words and just stood there in his embrace. 

Your heart was telling you to scream to him right there and then how much you love him and that he’s the perfect guy and you want to be with him for the rest of your life. But your brain reminded you of the consequences of telling him how you feel if he didn’t feel the same way. You internal conflict brewed within you and before you could do anything, you pulled away from his warm embrace and walked up the stairs to the guest room. 

~ 

You woke up the next morning to the smell of coffee filling your nose. Your eyes fluttered open as you rolled over to check the time. It was a little after 9am, and you had to be at the airport in a couple hours. You sat there for a few minutes before peeling the covers off your body getting out of bed. You shuttered at the cold tile against your feet as you walked towards to kitchen, the smell of coffee getting stronger. 

As you entered the kitchen you saw Chris leaned against the counter with a mug in one hand, his phone in the other. You admired how effortlessly handsome he was. He was wearing a t-shirt with some sweatpants, his hair disheveled and a tired expression painting his face. 

He noticed you come in and shot you a small smile and immediately grabbed another mug and started making you coffee. You graciously accepted the warm cup and started to drink it, hoping it would take away some of your exhaustion. 

“How did you sleep?” He asked quietly. 

“Not too well. I’m kinda anxious about going back to LA.” You replied. 

“You don’t have to go back yet, you’re more than welcome to stay here longer. Dodger and I love the company.” He shot you a sympathetic smile. 

“I think it’s time for me to go back and face everything. I can’t avoid it forever. I need to clean out my apartment of everything that reminds me of him and start fresh. Maybe it’ll help me feel better.” You sighed. “Or maybe I’ll go crazy and wreck the place and never go back. Who knows?” 

Chris chuckled and continued to sip his coffee. You stood there in a comfortable silence for a while, finishing your cup and scrolling through your phones. After about 15 minutes you went back to your room to get some of your stuff together before you needed to leave for the airport. 

You were seriously contemplating staying with Chris for a couple more days, dreading the moment you have to walk back into your apartment. As you were packing your things Chris walked into the room and sat down on the edge of the bed.

“So there’s a massive snow storm coming and the airport is cancelling all flights out of Boston until further notice. Roads are going to be shut down by tomorrow. We’re expecting more than 5 feet of snow. Looks like your staying longer after all.” Chris said, looking at his phone. You let out a sigh of relief and collapsed on the bed. 

“Guess you’re happy about it, huh?” He questioned. He moved your suitcase off the bed and laid on the bed next to you. You were both on your backs, you were staring at the ceiling and you could feel Chris looking at you. 

“I didn’t really want to go back, it’ll just make everything real.” You sighed. You don’t ever want to go back. Being here with Chris brings you so much happiness, even if you’re here because of terrible circumstances. 

“You don’t have to go back if you don’t want to. I’m here for a couple more weeks and then we’re supposed to be back on set in Atlanta. You can stay until then and we can leave from here.” You looked over at him with hope in your eyes. 

“Seriously? I know you’re here to spend time with your family I don’t want to take you away from that.” You said, looking over at him. You could see something in his eyes. They seemed to be sparkling, you couldn’t understand why. 

“Y/N, it doesn’t matter where I am, there’s always a spot for you where I am. You can stay with me for as long as you want.” He said, looking you in the eyes. The corners of your mouth tugged up in a smile. 

There was something about the moment that made your heart beat faster and the butterflies in your stomach go crazy. Every nerve in your body was telling you to tell him how much you love him, how badly you want to be with him. You wanted a forever with him. Every dream you had about your future involved him and there was nothing that could change that. 

“Chris, can I tell you something? I just feel like I need to get something off my chest and it may work out in my favor, but it may not. I just can’t keep it in anymore.” You began. He nodded slightly and you closed your eyes, taking a deep breath. 

“I love you. I’ve loved you since the moment we met. You are my everything and I don’t want to live without you by my side. You make me feel things that I have never felt for anything, not Josh not anyone I’ve ever been with. You are it for me. You are my endgame. Anything I ever do in my life, I want to do it with you.” You proclaimed. His breath hitched in the back of his throat after the first 3 words. His eyes scanned your face for any signs that you were joking, or just messing with him. All he saw was the way you looked at him with such love and admiration. He couldn’t seem to find the words to say. 

He brought his hand up to your face and brushed a piece of your Y/H/C out of your face before cupping your cheek. Your breath hitched in your throat at his intimate gestures and continued to scan his face. 

The next thing you knew he brought your body on top of his and pulled your face down and planted the most loving kiss you have ever received onto your lips. You placed your hands on either side of his face, deepening the kiss, craving more. His hands moved to your waist, pulling your bodies closer together. 

“So I’m guessing you feel the same way?” You whispered as you pulled back, Chris whining at the loss of contact. 

“I can’t even begin to explain the way I feel about you, but I hope that kiss is a good place to start.” He breathed. You smiled down at him and pressed your lips against his once again. Every single nerve in your body was on fire. You couldn’t begin to explain the way you felt. After a few minutes you pulled back and rolled off of Chris’ body and laid next to him. Your head in the crook of his neck and your hand going up to his face. 

“I am utterly and absolutely crazy for you, Chris Evans.” You purred, snuggling up closer to his body. 

“And I am utterly and absolutely crazy for you, Y/N Y/L/N.” He gushed. He wrapped his arms around your body, bringing you as close as he possibly can, not wanting to ever let you go. “So since this is a forever thing, should we talk about baby names?” He said in a serious voice. You looked up at his and your Y/E/C eyes met his piercing blue ones. 

“Baby, love you more than anything in this world. But if you are thinking we’re naming our son Tom or Brady… you’ve got another thing coming, Evans.” You chuckled. He dramatically sighed and looked you dead in the eyes. 

“And to think, I was going to buy you your dream house and help you fill it with kids. I just can’t believe you won’t let me name just one of those kids Brady.” He said shaking his head. You lightly smacked his chest before breaking out into a fit of giggles. 

“You’re gonna buy me my dream house? What about WE buy OUR dream house?” You grinned. He grabbed one of your hands and brought it up to his lips before a smiled graced his perfect face.

And that’s exactly what you did. 

[honeyimthedevil]

How it all started

Peter Parker take one of the worst decisions ever. You ask why? Well, yesterday our spider boy jumped from a building, couldn't catch himself and that's how he ended with two broken arms. There is one more thing though.  Since aunt May worked double shifts she couldn't watch over Peter. So what did she did? She called Tony Stark to watch over her nephew. You see, Peter like Tony a lot, and not like his father figure, but like something more.

Tony was at their apartment at 9am every morning if he hadn't slept on the couch the previous night. He could change Peter out of his pagama and then they would go to the bathroom so Tony could help Peter pee, brush his teeth and more. The best part of all this is that Peter finally  knew how Tony's hand would feel around his cock. Then they would eat breakfast, watch a movie or something, eat lunch, do something, eat dinner and then Tony would put Peter in his bed. They would talk until Peter fell asleep and thet Tony would go back to the tower or sleep on the couch.

One day Peter fell asleep  while Tony was explaining something to him, not because he was bored, but because he was exhausted. Tony tucked him in and made himself comfortable on the couch. Peter started to dream, dream about Tony. When he woke up the pressure in his cock was building and he was rubbing himself in the blanket over him, but sadly he didn't make it over the edge.

"Did you finished?" Asked a voice from next to him.

Peter's face went pale.

"Tell me so I can change you if you did" Tony said.

"N-no, I didn't"

"By the way, May told me you need to take shower" Tony changed the subject, "Now, let's go eat breakfast"

Tony helped Peter out of the bed and then fed him.

"So, about the shower, do you want to wait for May or is it okay if I do it?" He asked.

"You can do it" Peter said.

"Let's go then"

Tony's POV

This morning when I got in Peter's room he was moaning my name. I'm gonna give him what he wants, but first I'm gonna wait till his arms heal.

3rd POV

They got to the bathroom and Tony undressed Peter completely(Peter was still hard). Tony put away his shirt and dress pants and was only in his boxers. He made the water the right temperature and put Peter under the streaming water. He rubbed his back and shoulders and tried not to look at the boy's erecting cock. He turned the boy around and soaped over his abs and pecs.

"Do you want to finish?" Tony asked.

"W-what do you mean Mr. Stark?"

"You've been hard for over hour and a half. It must be painful"

"It would be good, but you don't have to do that for me" Peter said.

"You said you wanted to come?"

"Well, yeah"

"You don't have to say anything else. I would take care of your problem"

"You don't have to do t-oh my God Mr Stark, you have no idea how good this feels" Peter said as Tony started jerking him off.

Peter finally finished in Tony's hand. He washed the boy and they ended on the couch watching game of thrones.

After a month

Peter's arms were fully healed. He and Tony haven't talked about that day. He was in the elevator, going to the penthouse since Tony told him to come. Peter walked in the living room and there was no one.

"FRIDAY, where is Mr Stark?" He asked.

"Sir is in his room. He told me to tell you to go there as well"

"Thanks FRI"

"Always Peter"

Peter walked to Tony's room and knocked.

"Come in" Tony said.

The boy entered the room and was kinda shocked of how big it was. But he liked the view on the bed. I mean, who wouldn't like to see Tony Stark in only his underwear and his dick hard.

"FRIDAY said you wanted me to come here"

"Yeah, so you know the avengers gala is the next Friday and you are coming right?"

"Yes"

"So you would need suit," he walked to his closet and opened it, "you can choose from this ones and then I will order one in your size"

Peter stepped in front of the suits and started looking at them. There were like one hundred different ones so it took him time to choose the right one.

"Mr. Stark? What do you think?" Peter showed him the suit.

"Armani! Good choice Peter. What is your size?"

"M"

"Your suit will be here tomorrow"

The day of the gala

Peter walked with his new suit inside the ball room full of people he doesn't know. He started looking for Tony and found him at the bar.

"Hey Mr Stark"

"Hi Peter"

"Mr Stark, what am I supposed to do here?"

"Drink nice alcohol, talk to people you won't remember the names of"

"But I'm 17"

"So you haven't tried alcohol"

"No"

"Wanna try?" Tony offered him his glass of scotch.

"Why not"

Peter took the glass from Tony and took a sip. It burned his throat.

"Mr Stark, this is awful! How do you drink it almost every night?"

"When you drink the same kind of alcohol all your life you get used to the taste of it" Tony said, "sorry Petey, but I have to go talk to some fancy people"

Peter sat by himself most of the night. A slow song started playing and the couples went to the dance floor, Steve and Bucky too. Tony aproched Peter and tapped on his shoulder.

"Would you dance with me?" He asked and stuck out his hand.

"Yes" Peter said and took Tony's hand.

Tony led them to the dance floor and once they were there he wrapped his arms tightly  around Peter's waist. Peter put his hands on Tony's shoulders and they started moving in tact with the music. Before the song ended Tony looked in Peter's beautiful  brown eyes. He lifted his chin with one of his hands and just as the final chord rang he connected their lips. Peter kissed him back and closed his eyes. When they parted Peter realised what had happened. He muttered an I'm sorry and ran away.

"Peter" Tony screamed after him and clenched his head with his hands. He ran after Peter so he can apologise.

Tony found Peter on the balcony visibly shaking from the cold and probably crying. Tony took off his suit jacket and covered the boy's shoulders. He turned to face who was behind him and wiped his eyes.

"Peter I'm sorry I kissed you" Tony said.

"It's not about the kiss Mr Stark"

"About what then"

"You see, I like you very much. You do all those nice things for me and then you kissed me. I know that we can't be in relationship. I am still in high school and you are a grown up man"

"So, it's the age difference"

"No, not at all. It's just that you don't like me in that way"

"Well Petey, that is completely wrong. I like you very much in that way"

Peter stayed silent, mouth hanging open.

"Can I kiss you again?" Tony asked and Peter nodded.

Tony grabbed Peter's face and placed his lips on his. Their lips moved in sync. When the kiss ended they looked deep into each other's eyes.

"I love you Peter!" Tony said.

"I love you too, Tony!"

"Wanna go back inside?" Tony asked.

"I Don't want to go back to the party"

"How about my room then? FRIDAY will play a movie"

"Okay"

They went back inside, but missed the  door for the party. Theg got into the elevator and then in Tony's room. Peter threw the suit jackets on the sofa Tony had in his room. He got in the bed and put his head on Tony's shoulder.

They watched "The beauty and the beast". Tony was stroking Peter's hair. The boy yawned and Tony asked, "you tired?"

"Mhm"

"Well then, goodnight sweetheart"

"G'night Tones"

[goodlawdmaude]

Colombia and Peru 2019

3/7 SAN FRANCISCO --> BOGOTA

3/7-3/8

J and I ubered from ASF to airport, got through security, grabbed a drink at the terminal, then waited at our gate to board. Alarmingly, we heard our names over the intercom, but we just had to show our passports at the desk - no problem. A flight attendant on our flight got sick, so the flight needed 9 volunteers to get off the plane. This delayed us, but we eventually got off the ground. Slept some on the flight, had to go through customs in Mexico City, then through security to our gate. It was around 6am and light outside. Jarod resolved to start the day, but I wanted to sleep more. I slept for 30 great minutes on the flight, then watched Bohemian Rhapsody. The third person in our aisle was sketchy: late, on the phone (free WhatsApp), and importing a lot (per his customs form). We got through customs pretty quickly, then grabbed a taxi and made it to our hostel around 3pm. We rested briefly, then went out for lunch—arepas, chaufa arroz con pollo, and a special combo with seafood and rice in a divine yellow sauce. Jarod was starting to feel the full effect of his cold, but we went for a brief walk anyway through the center of town and the Museo de Botero. Lots of street vendors with various crafts and snacks, some alpacas, police with dogs with muzzles, cobblestone roads, sanitation workers in blue jumpsuits, green mountains in the background. While driving, we saw stark constrasts between shoddy roadside structures and the grand skyscrapers just behind them. Roads were paved and nice. We walked back, buying water at a nearby market, then took naps, showered, and went to sleep very early (8pm). On two instances, we were awoken by rowdiness in the hostel. Overall, slept 11(!!) hours.

3/9 BOGOTA-->MEDELLIN

3/9 Bogota-->Medellin

After our long sleep, we ate breakfast (eggs, fruit, bread, homemade jam, pancakes, lots of fruit) at the hostel, then asked reception to call a taxi for us. We made it to the airport and ultimately made it to the gate smoothly (despite one snafu: struggling to follow arrows to find el bano). Flight was super quick, it was hot when we landed, and we grabbed a taxi from a line outside. The ride to El Poblado was pretty green and undeveloped. It reminded me of driving in Costa Rica (narrow, windy roads), but the roads were paved and in better shape. We tried to drop our bags at the airbnb but couldn’t. We grabbed lunch at El Florez a couple doors down—very yummy healthy food. We tried the airbnb again to no avail. We walked around to take in the town. It was very green, hot and trendy - peppered with new-looking bars, restaurants, and shops. Dying of heat, we stopped for lemonades at a restaurant by the airbnb then went to get our key. We got in and hung for a bit--the airbnb was plenty spacious but nothing super fancy. We grabbed a drink at El Jenun(??)--J built his own gin and tonic while i had a fancy cocktail. We walked for a while--through some slightly seedier roads--to a gypsy/fox-themed pizza place for dinner. Grabbed a beer at Medellin beer company and J accidentally ordered a pitcher. Waitresses were scantily clad and hot; there was an old weird white dude who knew them all far too well. We came home, showered, and went to bed around 11pm.

3/10

After sleeping in until 9am, I straightened my hair (big deal) and then we went to El Pergamino for coffee and breakfast. I had a milky delicious chai latte and eggs with tomato and pesto roasted in a little crepe brûlée pan. The coffee shop was super trendy and cute. From there we walked to the Poblado Metro station and found our way onto the metro. It was very hot and pretty crowded but a really nice system. We got off to transfer to a gondola which took us over a poorer area--tin roofs, lots of graffiti, kids and dogs running everywhere. Then we got on a second gondola which took us over a final stretch of town and over a few miles of forest. The view was unbelievable. We were squished in with a Spanish family of 6 who were talking about how hot it was here and elsewhere. We got off and started exploring El Parque Arvi. It took us a while to realize we couldn’t hike the trails without a guide, and we couldn’t get a guide without booking online. We walked around and down the road where there were lots of street vendors and a couple restaurants. We got overpriced mangos. We headed back and went to grab lunch before seeing the botanical garden. There was mostly fast food. We got two empanadas to go and sat by the main area of vendors and performers in front of the garden. We went in, admires the flora, saw some iguanas, then headed out. We intended to walk to Cerro el Volador, but then the area we were walking through got a little sketchy and we turned around. We went to Explora Park--walked through the aquarium, reptile exhibits, and a room dedicated to the mind. By the time we were ready to leave, it was pouring. We ran to a taxi, had some confusion with the address, but made it back. We rebounded out for dinner (kebab house - mediocre) nearby, then got dessert across the street and wine and waters at exxito 

3/11

Woke up *early* 720 to get ready for our free walking tour through Real City Tours. Jarod made breakfast (scrambled eggs and an arepa) while I got dressed. We left a few minutes later than hoped, but hustled down Calle 10 to the poblado metro station and made it with time to spare to meet our guide. He wore a hat and a red shirt and directed our flock of 23 gringo ducklings onto the metro (which Jarod and I had already mastered the previous day), and we took it three stops north to Alpujarra. We got off, regrouped, and headed off to start the tour. It began with a roughly 20min history of Medellin. Julio told us how a big alcohol tax led the entrepreneurial locals to find smuggling routes to bring it into Colombia and how coffee grew well in its fertile soil and was a major export that bolstered the economy. He talked about the rise of cocaine and Pablo Escobar--how he and those over 30 remembered the terror and the violence and danger, but that younger people thought he was good because he “gave houses to poor people.” He talked about how the metro system showed the people that things could be better, and Medellin started its resurrection. We saw the old train station, the main government offices, the plaza of light (which used to be a crime hotspot but is now beautiful, adjacent to a library and the center of education). We walked through El Hueco, taking in the vendors and street scene to a church, empanada (with orange juice), and the Botero museum and plaza. We learned of the Belgian architect who had left his project because of all the shit-talking of the local people; the Paisas said they would finish it themselves... and did so very abruptly without following his complex blueprints. At this point, 4 members of our tour got lost. We walked to the metro stop from whose stairway a grenade had been tossed into a crowd; Julio explained Colombians’ short term memory as a necessity of resilience--and that one grenade wasn’t so bad compared to the volcano that killed 20k the next day. We walked down Junin street (a popular date night spot) and to a plaza where Botero has two bird statues- one that was partially destroyed by dynamite detonated during a concert; the other new to represent triumphing over that evil. There were cool murals of African American faces--allegedly the first freed slave in Colombia who ran away and beat up everyone that came to catch him. This plaza--especially the birds--was really powerful. A strong symbol of all that Medellin went through and rose above. After the tour, we grabbed lunch in the palace in El Hueco (creamed corn soup, salad, pork, rice and juice for roughly $5). We took the metro home and did a Nike workout and I thought I would die. We showered, hung out, then went to El Chagra for a 6-course tasting menu (we actually went for a drink, but were surprised by and obligated to do the tasting). All the dishes were focused on Amazon themes and resources- specifically the giant fish, Arapaima. The first course was a smoking drink that tasted spicy and cinnamony--a bit like fireball. The second was a delicious soup that was creamy and cheesy with yucca crumbs. The third was a potato/fish ball eaten with our hands and dipped in a spicy fruit sauce. The fourth was fish and chaufa rice. The fifth was sausage with fruit preserves and cherry tomato. The sixth was dessert--a brownie-like thing and a fruity ice cream. The whole meal ran 300COP (with cocktails which had a dazzling presentation of liquid smoke and a sandbox.. and tip). Before the final course, a man dressed as an indigenous Amazonian came to our table chanting and we didn’t know what to do. He spoke some dialect and then Spanish and offered us to use his pastes to paint on ourselves. We respectfully declined and he moved on. We went to a restaurant down the street for a drink. Jarod got a shot of gin *sin huelo* loll. The restaurant was upscale with several birthdays happening. They gave us hand towels which they made expand amazingly by pouring hot water on them. We went home to bed.

3/12 MEDELLIN-->LIMA

3/12

We woke up around 730 and did a Nike work out at home. Jarod made breakfast of eggs and arepas, then our taxi came and took us to the airport. When we got there, we couldn’t check in at the kiosk--it said we were on standby. We waited in line and the woman seemed to have some issues, but eventually gave us our boarding passes. We got through security, grabbed El Pergamino coffee/chai, and waited at the gate. Jarod got us sandwiches, fruit, and a chocolate donut thing to eat. We were sitting apart during the 3h flight :(. I read the whole time. We were fed on the airplane and I ate the meal despite being full. We got through customs easily and got a taxi to our airbnb in Miraflores (45min away... And during rush hr). We got keys from our concierge and went out for dinner. We had to wait a bit, but the food was delicious. Jarod are a risotto in squids ink with seafood. I had a pumpkin soup with shrimp, corn, and yucca. I was so full afterward and felt kinda sick but not too bad. Being in Miraflores felt like being in Santa Monica--it was an upscale beachside community with a nice mall. We went to bed HOT and I woke up once with an upset stomach, though it wasn’t too bad.

3/13

7 YEARS!! We set alarms around 730am but didn’t get out of bed until 830 or so. We headed out for a work out- running through several beautiful green parks on the coastline, then plopping in the shade for a circuit. After the workout, we went to a beachside cafe and ordered a coffee and a nutella/banana crepe to share. We stopped at home, rinsed my sunscreeny body, then headed to the mall, Larcomar. We popped into a cafe for parfaits and quiche, then went to the bike rental stand upstairs and got two bikes for one hour. After we paid but before we left, the bike attendant crashed/fell off his bike nearby. The irony was overwhelming. We biked along the beautiful coast, to the Bridge of Sighs, then back up a city street of Barranco. The Barranco main square was beautiful, with statues and beautiful plants peppered throughout the plaza. We rode back, returned our bikes to the attendant who was squirting Purell on his scraped knee, and went home. We did laundry, showered, and got ready for our walking food tour. (Snacked on plaintain chips and beers from the market downstairs while we waited.) A driver with an unexplained passenger picked us up around 520pm. He was very kind and gave us two (hot) bottles of water. We drove through traffic into the historical center, where we met our guide Ximena. We walked to a churro place that had a long line, Ximena scurried to the front, then returned with two churros--one with caramel (apparently an ancient sweet in Lima) or a sweet cream. They were scalding hot. We took them to a nearby monastery, with a gated plaza full of pigeons. Ximena told us that the plaza used to be a common place to sell goods that the pigeons and vultures were brought by the Spanish, and that it was still an important place of worship although only 20ish ppl were a part of the monastery (friars?). We went inside and saw into catacombs full of skulls and big bones. There were no cemeteries, so if one had the money, one would pay to be buried in that sacred space. From there, we went to the center of literature (which used to be a big train station, but now only one train goes and it runs maybe 2x/month). Across the street was the oldest bar in Lima. We went in and ate ham sandwiches with onion (pan con chicharron con sarza) and purple juice (chicha morrada - corn juice with cloves and cinnamon). From there we walked to the main plaza. Xime told us about the history of the buildings--the bell towers of the old church had been destroyed by earthquakes and rebuilt... the (some politician’s) mansion had been burned down (by ppl who wanted to scare him, but accidentally destroyed it) and rebuilt. It was a beautiful square full of light and life. From there, we walked to a nearby coffee shop where we talked with the brewer of Peru Uno, Oliver. He let us taste two of his beers--a Belgian trippel and an homage to Peru with chamomile and other local herbs/spices. With the beer we had fried bites called tequenos. Oliver was half Peruvian and have Belgian and very focused on sustainable business practices. He was super friendly and cool. From there, we walked a way to find a stop full of people--vendors with their carts as well as big mats on the ground for gambling and big circles around storytellers or dancers. We are mazamorra morada with rice pudding and another sweet rice that was brown from the sweetener. We then had the healing herbal drink emoliente and anticuchos. At each vendor, xime explained the prep in depth, asking the vendor details in Spanish then relaying the answers to us in English. From there we walked to an old bar for “supte artists” where we had papas a la huancaina, yucca rellena (my fave), and chilcano de pisco. People around us were getting TURNT--an old asian man could barely walk, a guy and girl had 8 beers (large) between them, 3 men had 14, and a table of three had a whole fifth of pisco (45% alcohol). Quite full, we struggled through our food. I finished my share, but J did not finish his! We then met our ride (after Xima first approached the wrong car), dropped Xime off, and made it home. During the tour, Xime said the most protested issue in Peru was gender ideology. We went to bed around 11.

3/14

We woke up around 730. I was feeling sicker than I had, but we set off for a workout anyway. We ran for 20min and did a 30min Nike training. We were dripping with sweat. We then headed down our street for breakfast. Jarod’s came with papaya juice and coffee and he got a water--so much liquid to go with his double decker grilled cheese (basically lol). We walked to Kennedy Park which was beautiful with lots of flowers and cats. We went to a supermarket nearby and bought waters, nuts, plaintain chips, and yogurt. We walked back to our place and chilled for a while. We snacked on yogurt and plantain chips during the afternoon, showered, took a nap, and enjoyed the beautiful patio of our airbnb. We watched a little bit of Coach Carter hehe. Then around 6 we set off for dinner at the ancient ruins Huelca Pucllana. It was a long walk during rush hour, but we made it (slightly sweaty) and were seated immediately (in the room not immediately adjacent to the ruins). We got Topeka? Appetizer—4 from the menu for two people--some delicious bread, and our meals (salmon and risotto for me; tuna and veggies and rice for J). We had pisco sours which were strong and delicious. We admired the ruins for a few minutes before walking back down a central strip of park-like walkway. We made it to park Kennedy and stopped for picarones-fried pumpkin and sweet potato dough. I thought we would get one donut, but we got 6, drizzled in syrup. We carried these home, smacked on a few, and packed up. We went to bed by 10pm in prep for our early travel day the next morning.

3/15 LIMA-->CUSCO

3/15

We woke up around 430 and started getting ready. We snacked on leftover picarone and banana, then went to head downstairs at 515. We were stopped by the man next door (Gerard?) who said he owned the building and worked at Cheesecake Factory in gheridelli square in SF and owned a house in Oakland. We talked for a few minutes and gave him the key (a relief to me; I was worried the doorman might not be there for a hand off). The doorman was there and called a taxi for us--though it took a while, our driver spoke some English and warned us (in spanish) about being robbed at gunpoint in Cusco. I slept during some of the ride and was very groggy when we arrived. We got through security and onto our plane smoothly. I slept against the window the entire flight, but felt super weird--and anxious about altitude sickness--when we arrived. We got off and found our way to a crowd of desperate taxi drivers, all in our face asking if we wanted to ride with them. We said no gracias to them all, then realized we did need one. Jarod was haggling with one guy for a 15s ride but he wouldn’t budge; another driver jumped in and said he would take us for 15s. We rode through more modern Cusco into the more ancient part where we were staying. We arrived at our hostel around 10 and sipped coca tea in the lobby while they prepared our room for us. (Very early but convenient!) our room was beautiful and spacious Jarod lay on the alpaca blanket at the foot of our king bed so as not to get it dirty. We hung for a bit, then went down the street for lunch, back home for the bathroom, then out again to the main plaza. A very friendly man outside a different restaurant said “ah hello guys, we have been waiting for you come on in.” We told him we had already eaten and pressed onward, making our way through people pushing massages, trinkets, and art prints at us. The main plaza was beautiful. Green and surrounded by old churches and hills. We went around the shops at the edge--with lots of aggressive vendors and high end alpaca clothing shops. We stopped to buy sunglasses, then went to the Inka museum. We learned about the pre-inkan people who used basic tools and made basic ceramics and relied heavily on llamas and alpacas. The Incas themselves didn’t develop until ~1100 AD (news to me). They too made lots of ceramics and basic tools as well as little sculptures of animals and foods to sacrifice to the gods. The section on Spanish conquest was unclear because all the signs were in Spanish. It seems they put into power lots of Incan leaders who were pro-Spain and then screwed them over. When we were finishing up, it started pouring rain. We waited briefly for it to let up, then hurried home in the rain. We were struggling to breathe pretty often (>11k feet). At home, we got snuggly and took a nap. We found a dinner spot and went there around 5pm lol. Jarod ate alpaca for the first time. The place was empty and the chef was very sweet and cute and fed us aguaymanto which were delicious. The food was really excellent. We did have some comedy with the light above us--she turned it off to set the mood, then a young girl Came in later and turned it on above us without saying anything... we turned it back off, then the chef asked if we wanted it or not. On the way out, she asked for a tripadvisor review which i will happily write. We went to scope out prices of (fake) alpaca products and desserts. We went to a few stores and saw small “alpaca” blankets ranging from 40s--35s. We will go back to buy one or two before we leave. We bought a brownie and slice of chocolate cake nearby, then took it back to our room to feast on in our king bed. We watched some Simpsons in spanish, then read for a while. We went to go to sleep around 10, but I couldn’t sleep. Felt like I didn’t sleep all night--was up thinking. Maybe too much coca tea (inulin is stimulatory).

3/16

We woke to our alarms around 630, but didn’t get out of bed cuz I felt like I hadn’t slept. Finally got up around 9 and got breakfast at our hotel, which was delicious-especially the cornbread. We chilled in our room and prepped for the day, then ventured out. First, we went to San Pedro market. The streets outside were overflowing with vendors selling hard boiled quail eggs and slices of various fruits. Inside the main market place was literally everything. There was a hot food area, a line of juice vendors, butchers bakers, herb-sellers, woven goods vendors, and more. On the far side, we walked down a street lined with shops selling whole chickens (their naked bodies and weird feet displayed prominently). We then found a second, less touristy market place with more hot food, some dye stands, and even a haircut shop. We walked back and stopped for tamales, but didn’t have small enough bills so the woman sent us away. We found our way back to the plaza des armes and sat down for lunch--Jarod got pizza and I got chicken. From there, we started walking (steeply up) to Sacsayhuaman. We found a nice church with a fabulous viewpoint, then continued along the road to the main gate. There was a guard who said the ticket office was closed and we had to buy tickets in the plaza des armes. We were not motivated enough to walk there and back (still constantly out of breath from the altitude), and it was starting to sprinkle, so we headed home. We hung around home until we had to go to our pre-trek meeting. There were two people missing at the start--who came in 20minutes late absolutely breathless. The guide went over the plan for the next couple days. Everyone was young and seemed outdoorsy and ready. This trio of Australians had bought a lot of the recommended items on the packing list. I felt anxious and a little intimidated. We went to inkazuela for dinner, where we are delicious stews and fresh baked bread. A group of maybe 20 annoying Americans came and sat down and were so loud as we were paying. Embarrassing. We went home and packed and tried to go to bed early because we were waking up at 330 for a 4am pick up to start the drive to start the hike for Salkantay!!

3/17 BEGIN SALKANTAY 

3/17 - Day 1 Salkantay 

We woke up at 330, finalized our packing, and waited in the lobby briefly before our guide, Erick, arrived to pick us up on foot. He lived nearby our hotel in San Blas. We waited with him for the van, which didn’t seem to be where it was supposed to be. We got everyone picked up (including 3 bonus ppl who were doing a separate one-day trip. They were Thai but our guide Erick had told us they were Chinese lol.) We drove for about 2h on a windy bumpy road, I tried to sleep, but it was fitfull. When we stopped for breakfast I felt like actual shit and was worried I was getting altitude sickness. Jarod didn’t feel well either. I looked at the trekking route and realized we wouldn’t be much higher than Cusco, and this relieved me. We had a big breakfast (eggs, bread, fruit and yogurt, juice, coca tea), and sat by ourselves while the rest of the group bonded. We both started to feel better with the food and fresh air. We got back in the vans and drove another hour before getting off, sunscreening up, officially doing intros with our hiking group, and hitting the trail. Jarod and I were at the front with the other Americans, Chris and Alex from Buffalo, New York. The Australians, Emma, Ben, and Nick, were in the middle, with the Austrians, Anna and Patrick at the end. The start of the hike required some elevation climb, but then it evened out and we walked along an aqueduct in the mountainside for the majority of the trek. I accidentally called Emma Anna when asking her to take a photo. We made it to camp around 12? We were assigned Sky camps, which were tiny but beautiful glass comes with little twin beds in them after a 3-4ft doorway. I read and fell asleep for 7min before it was time for lunch). Lunch was a huge feast--the food was good but a bit cold. We then rested for half an hour and then hiked up to the lake. It was a relatively short hike, but quite steep. I was very out of breath, but led the charge alongside Chris. Anna and Patrick were lagging so far behind, Erick told us to go ahead and then wait at the half way point. Chris and Jarod and I led, waited for the group, then went on some more. The field we were walking through was full of cows and horses grazing, flanked by giant hills on either side. We walked up and over the top and found ourselves at a stunning blue lake. It was breathtaking, with streams from a snowy mountain running into an aquamarine reservoir. We took some photos, then climbed up a ridge along the side, from which we could see the lake as well as the grassy valley we came up through. It started to rain and we saw a beautiful rainbow in the valley but also needed to hurry back down. Everyone put on our ponchos and took a picture. I got my walking sticks for the way down, and they helped on the muddy parts but made me very slow. Jarod and I lagged behind the group as we all charged down the hill. We made it back, met as a team for tea time at 530, then dinner at 630. They had given us snacks, but we didn’t really need them because we were fed so often and so well. (I still ate my cookies earlier.. because they were delicious hehe). We got ready for bed after dinner around 8. I had a swig if Nick’s pisco before bed, then crawled into my sleeping bag and tried (but struggled) to sleep. I got up at 1am because Jarod was getting up. I hissed after him that I wanted to come to the bathroom, but he didn’t hear me. When I stepped outside, he was standing there. (He has walked toward the bathroom and been startled by a cow and come back loll). After that, I had a very hard time sleeping.

3/18 - Day 2 Salkantay

Started to climb, through some grassy fields, up the “Gringo killer” and to Salkantay summit, where it started raining. Emma had to breathe from an oxygen tank at the top (she had had severe altitude sickness in previous visits), and the Austrian couple took horses to the top to save their legs. On the far side of the summit, our trek got truly miserable. Steep decline. Soaked head to toe. I remember thinking, “Wow, we paid to do this.” We got to our midway lunch spot, where I tried to dry my socks, and we commiserated with our group. Thankfully, the rain let up, and the rest of the hike descended into warmer, more tropical forests. For tea time, they made us a freaking cake. We paid to use a shower and went into our little thatched-roof huts, a tiny space with one large bed. I had a dream that I had no feet (likely brought on by the extreme pain I felt in all of my joints!).

3/19 -  Day 3 Salkantay

Started the trek with Erick painting our faces with berries. By this time, felt VERY bonded with the group. The hiking this day was much tamer, flatter roads, less extreme climbs/drops, and a fun little cart that we rode across a river. We stopped by a coffee plantation and had lunch there. We took a van some stretch of the drive to end up at the trailhead to Machu Picchu. We went out with our group for dinner, and I felt excited but also sad to be so close to the end of our time with them. 

3/20 - Day 4 Salkantay (Machu Picchu!!)

Got up to start the trek to Machu Picchu around 5am(?). It was pitch black, and we CHARGED up the mountain, often annoyed that the people in front of us were not immediately letting us pass them. By the time we arrived at the gate, there were maybe 20 people in line, and we were drenched in sweat but also STOKED to be there. It was pretty chilly and very misty, so we had a few minutes of great visibility, but lots of fog other than that. Erick gave us a tour and some history, then (VERY SADLY) left us. Our group was a little devastated. We explored on our own a little, then headed back down as droves and droves of tourists poured in. We took a bus back and ate lunch (and many beers/pisco sours) at a small cafe while waiting for our train back. We eventually got on a train, which took us to a bus, which took us back to Cusco. We had booked a nicer room so that we could soak up the luxury after some very tough days on the trail. We met the Australians and the Austrians for drinks, and ended up staying up pretty late playing games and chatting with them in a Cusco bar.

3/21 CUSCO-->BOGOTA

3/21

We were awoken at 8 by a mysterious knock. I had some stomach trouble, then came back to bed. We got up at 845 to get breakfast. We ate the hotel breakfast, then went to our room to pack. I was feeling very sad to be leaving, nostalgic for our time on the trail. We packed, left our bags at the front, and went to go buy some “alpaca” blankets. We got two bracelets for J, three small paintings, and two alpaca blankets. The lady told us they were 50s even though we had been to the store before and been told 40, and had seen them elsewhere for 35. Jarod got her down to 40 and we left with them. By now I was hungry and emotional and tired, so I started to tear up over indecision with where to eat. We sat at a cafe and had 11s sandwiches. We went back to the hotel and had them call a cab. We arrived at the airport and checked in, then strangely waited in a room before being allowed through security (not many intl flights out of cusco... seems to require its own protocol). We made it to our gate and onto the plane. I was happy to be sitting next to Jarod (he was K and I was E... but for whatever reason those two are adjacent...) we had steak and vino tinto on the flight ;). We took a taxi home - a man lifted our bags into the trunk then asked for a tip. When we got there, our hosts were nowhere to be found and it was pouring rain. A property manager came out and started talking at us in Spanish very quickly--I think saying that our hosts hadn’t told her anything. She somewhat angrily escorted us outside, and I thought we were going to have to wait there. She then showed us how to work all the locks on the door, then let us inside. We got wine and cheese at the grocery store and snacked on those for dinner

3/22

We woke up around 8 with plans to eat breakfast at home then head to la candelaria for a bike tour at 1030. All appliances rebelled against us. The eggs stuck to the bottom of the pan, and the eggs that didn’t stick barely cooked. I tried to put laundry in but the timer never went down; it just perpetually washed. The toaster oven was a mystery of its own. Regardless, we eventually dined on eggs and arepas, and Jarod got the washer to switch to rinse then dry. We called an uber and got dropped off by the bike shop. We waited in a plaza and chatted with some other travelers. We embarked as a large group and found our way to a plaza with a statue of Simon Bolivar... talked about journalism... then split into two groups and departed. We biked to “the time square of Bogota” and talked about Germans convincing Colombians to drink beer instead of chicha... saw street art and discussed the battle between more/less formal forms... we biked through a neighborhood of mixed architecture and talked about the identity crisis in bogota... we rode to a park and snacked on fruits, then admired a giant map of bogota before riding past more street art (Jarod got a flat as usual), and to a big memorial for those killed in the civil war- tears streaming down the side of a building into a pool of water. We went to a coffee shop and talked some with our guide, Mateo. He talked about working in social services in London and suggested those services weren’t helpful. He showed impatience with others’ inability to learn english. We talked about the education system a bit then started our coffee tour. We biked down a more colorful street--with gov-commissioned art on all the walls. We rode through the red light district to a market for fruit tasting. We then ran across the street and learned how to play Tejo. It was really absurd and fun even though I was bad at it. Then we went back to the bike shop and paid. We got what was supposed to be a light lunch of ajiaco and a tamale to share - it was heavy. We walked to the main plaza and Gabriel Garcia Marques cultural center. We tried to stand outside our lunch spot to get WiFi to order an uber. Instead we went to a cafe and bought banana bread to get  their code. We went home, hung out, then headed to el chato for dinner. The host asked if we had a reservation, which we had a hard time understanding. Eventually we were sat at the bar. We got cocktails, the best order of chips and guacamole ever, lamb (Jarod), and fish with mushrooms (me). When we finished dinner, we went to the grocery store to buy more coconut cookies and then we headed home. We went to bed around 11.

3/23

We were slow to start in the morning. We made breakfast and did some research on Monserrate before calling an uber to go there. The uber got lost in a nearby national park and asked several ppl for directions but apparently few of them were helpful. We finally made it to the trail head and hiked the (very tough) ascent of 2000m. It took us about 50min; we arrived around 12. The view was beautiful but there were lots of ppl- even a mass going on. There were lots of stands for foods and trinkets. On the way down we got queso fresco con fruta. We then walked all the way home, zagging through la candelaria, stopping for bunuelos and empanadas, and then by the park for fruit and carrot cake. There were countless street vendors with hot dogs, coconuts, fruits, cell phone minutes, dried food, etc. We got home, napped and snacked, then showered. We went to Bogota Brewing Company around the corner. The waitress talked to us a lot very quickly and we were totally lost. She then brought us four drinks to try -- we were worried we needed to say something about them but didn’t even really know what they were. We ordered beers and a pizza and reflected on the trip and plans for going home. We went to the store for more coconut cookies, then home. We sat and ate for a little, then packed up and went to bed around 10.

3/24 BOGOTA-->SAN FRANCISCO

3/24

345am wake up - was awoken a little early by drunks in the street. Got ready and Jarod called an uber. Rode to the airport, got through immigration and security, wanted crepes and waffles but couldn’t find them. Had to go to the desk to check in (after hearing our names over the speaker). Alarms were going off while we waited... no one seemed to care.

[mrs-hongs-blog]

Took Away The Pain

m e m b e r : Joshua Hong!!! g e n r e : fLUFFY!!11!!!1 w o r d c o u n t : 2k

i n t r o : SEVENTEEN has been busy preparing for their latest world tour Diamond Edge, and it’s starting to take a toll on your boyfriend’s body.

“Good job everyone, that’s all for today! Please go home and get ample rest before the next stop.” The 13 boys that were sweating profusely slowly dispersed from the practice to collect their luggage, they waved each other good bye and proceeded to go their own way, majority heading to the dorm while some returned to meet their family and Joshua was no exception.

Jeonghan and Joshua walked down the hallway of Pledis building and down to the basement carpark in silence. Ever since they landed 5 hours ago, they have been practicing non-stop and were exhausted out of their own minds. Joshua then broke the silence, “Need me to drop you off Han?” He said while fumbling to unlock his car. Jeonghan laughed at the clumsy boy and shook his head. “Thanks man, but my parents are coming with my little sister!” He said with a hint of excite. Joshua nodded his head gently.

“You should hurry home, your soulmate must be dying to see you.” Joshua’s eyes immediately smiled at the mention of you. How your eyes would light up whenever you saw him, how the corners of your beautiful lips was always up whenever he was around, even in your sleep, and how your cheeks would always be a tint of red whenever he was home from schedules.

And that’s why Joshua came to fall in love with you. You were so happy and optimistic and there was nothing that could ruin your day. You were his happy pill after a long day of schedule and training. You guys have been dating for a year after he arrived in Korea, back when you were working under Pledis as a Korean teacher and translator for new trainees who couldn’t speak Korean.

Joshua spoke Korean back in the US, but not that fluent. So he still took lessons with you, be it an excuse to see you or to actually learn. He was a fast learner and picked up the language fast, which is why he was put into SEVENTEEN early in his trainee days. He was also really fast in winning your heart over with his dad jokes, puns and acrostic poems. But what made you fall crazy in love with him was his kindness to anyone and everyone and his determination. You never ever saw him get angry, was always polite and gave his 120% during his training, even when he didn’t know if he could debut.

It’s been a little over 3 years since you guys started dating, but due to his visit to America, you guys couldn’t celebrate the 3rd Anniversary. In particular, it’s been 3 weeks since you last saw him and you only had him for 3 days. It was tough but nothing beats your love for him. Joshua felt bad missing the anniversary no matter how much you said it was okay so he kept sending you gifts, even from America. Today was no different, and he was about to surprise you again.

He alighted from his car in a small alleyway with lots of side shops and walked into the florist. “Sojung nuna! Jisoo here to pick up the flowers I ordered last week!” Her head popped out from a bunch of flowers and she smiled, “Hold on a minute! I’ll go get your flowers!” Sojung was his cousin from America that moved over to be a florist and he was his reliable source of surprising what he likes to call you, the most beautiful flower in his life.

“Here you go.” She passed him the huge bouquet of peonies and baby breaths, and as he was taking his wallet out, she stopped him. “On the house, you’ve worked hard the past 3 weeks. Go surprise her.” He nodded and thanked her, slipping a $100 note into the tip jar, knowing she would later reprimand him over the phone. He walked to his car and placed the bouquet of flowers next to him before he drove to the apartment you guys shared.

He pulled up infront of the loft that you two lovingly shared with your two golden retrievers and he took a good look at the house, grabbed the bouquet and unlocked the door. He opened the door to two excited pups begging for his love, “Hi there Bean and Dubbs!!!” He cooed before looking around for your presence. He spotted you in the kitchen cooking something, listening to your earpiece.

He smiled and put the flowers on the kitchen counter before back-hugging you, removing one side of the earpiece. “How’s my favourite girl doing?” You stood there frozen for a second when you heard his voice, before regaining consciousness and jumping on him. “Babe! When did you arrive? I MISSED YOU!” You did a little cheer while your two dogs barked at you two, making a ruckus.

Joshua smiled at your shining eyes and red cheeks, “A little while ago. I have a surprise for you.” Joshua moved aside to reveal the huge bouquet of your favourite flowers and you screamed again. “SHU! You shouldn’t have!” You said as you hugged the huge bouquet and squashed your face in it. He smiled widely, “I should’ve. It was worth it.” You turned to him to give him a long, loving kiss before pulling apart, forehead together, giggling.

“Where’s your luggage, I’ll go get it! I’ll run a bath for you! I’ll finish cooking dinner!” Joshua laughed at how you were trying to multi-task with your little body, running around with two huge pups following you around. He sure loves his little family of four. You then promptly ran out to bring his luggage in, dumping the laundry in the washing machine. Joshua watched as you ran around the house getting things done.

You ran into the bathroom to run the warm bath for him and fetched him a towel, pushing him into the bathroom. “I love you baby, thank you for this.” He said at the doorway of the toilet, kissing your cheek lightly. You smiled before shoving him in the bathroom, “I love you too, but you stink!” You laughed as he said a loud ‘HEY!” and you continue to prepare dinner.

After you guys were done with dinner, you guys collapsed on your bed in matching puppy pajamas, your two dogs flopping down on the floor next to you. “Good night baby, no more good night texts.” Joshua whispered, as he kissed your temple gently before snuggling you, You smiled lightly and said quietly under your breath, “Good night love.” before falling into a deep slumber.

Next morning, you were awakened by Joshua groaning loudly and your eyes shot open. He was clutching his arm before groaning again. “SHU! What’s wrong?” He moaned out, “My arm and back really hurts..” You checked the time, 9am. The clinic nearby was open and you immediately got dressed and brought Joshua to the car, driving him to the clinic.

The doctors couldn’t identify what was wrong with Joshua, so they prescribed him with painkillers and told him to check back again in a few days. You guys drove home and Joshua was groaning in pain on the couch. The dogs sat by him on the sofa, ears dropped down as though they knew he was in pain. You were saddened by the event and how it made Joshua so weak. He couldn’t stand or lay down properly because it would just hurt.

You brewed him some porridge and fed him his medicine, and he fell asleep shortly after. You called the members and their manager to inform them about the incident. The members and managers dropped by to visit while Joshua was asleep but none of them wanted to wake him up, even in his sleep, he looked like he was in so much pain.

You served the guests some snacks and tea before they left, leaving well wishes. Pledis called you and did say that if it gets worse, Joshua can get treatment at the hospital and not attend the next tour stop. But knowing Joshua, he would hate to do so. Joshua hated disappointing his fans, and would push himself to the limit. That’s how he always was, giving his 120%.

He woke up later in the evening to eat some food and take his painkillers again, before falling back into sleep, this time on the bed. You sat next to him after washing up and feeding the pups, you looked at his angelic face, eyebrows furrowed probably due to the pain and face scrunched. You looked at him with so much worry, and tears started to spill.

“Have you ever met someone you loved so much, that when they were in pain, you just wanted to take the pain away from them, even if it means that you will be in pain. Or just want to share a bit of the pain so that person can at least rest a bit better?”

You were crying, sobbing and in a load of tears. You hated it, how you couldn’t do anything to make Joshua’s pain lesser, or make him feel even a slight bit better. He was probably the most kind-hearted and nicest person you ever know, why did he have to suffer? You just cried and cried and cried, hoping something would make his pain lesser.

You sat next to him all night, and fell asleep on the bedside table. Joshua then woke up because Bean jumped on the bed to lick his face. He searched around for you before finding you, fast asleep on the floor, head propped on the bed, looking at him. He caressed your cheek before kissing your temple with all the strength he had.

It woke you up, and he got a shock. “I’m sorry, did I wake you up?” He looked at you, eyebrows furrowed, face obviously still in pain. You stared at him before breaking down again. He was confused but comforted you with all the strength he had left. “What’s wrong baby.. Please don’t cry, you know I hate seeing you like this.”

“I just feel, bad. I can’t do anything to help you feel at least a bit better and you’re suffering alone. I hate it. How I can’t share even a bit of pain with you. I’m sorry babe. You’re the most amazing boyfriend yet I can’t do even a single thing for you.” Joshua smiled at how pure your heart was. He was lucky to call you his.

“Hey.. Don’t cry. It’s not your fault, and I’m fine. You being here makes me feel better. You did do a lot for me love. You cooked food for me, fed me my meds, carried me around and even took care of the guests. You’re the amazing one.” Joshua whispered, probably because he was exhausted. You smiled at his words and jumped on top of him, hugging him tightly.

“Thank you for everything Jisoo ah.” The way you called him made his heart flutter, even after 3 years. “I love you babe.” You said before spamming kisses all over his face and neck. “I love you too babygirl.” He said with you squishing his cheeks, kissing him all over. He sat up, pinning you under him and now it was his turn to spam kisses all over you. Bean and Dubbs joined shortly after, rolling around the bed.

“Babe? Does it not hurt anymore?” You remembered, asking Joshua. He looked at his arm, and then cracking his neck. “I.. feel better. All of a sudden.” Joshua looked at himself in shock and you jumped on him. “MY BABY’S OKAY!” Joshua smiled and hugged you tightly. He was happy with where his life has come too, his small family of four and his amazing other half. He stopped you, pulled you apart to face him.

“It’s the power of your love. You did it babe. You took my pain away.” He said, smiling widely, his cat eyes prominent. You smiled and mumbled softly only he could hear, “It’s a power of OUR love.” You two then shared a sweet kiss before it was ruined by Dubbs putting his butt to Joshua’s face.

[toppdoggfanfics]

i didnt realize no one had requested for sangdo yet!! i need to change that haha could you please do a cute scenario where you've been feeling tired and stressed and depressed lately and sangdo surprises you with a weekend getaway and its just filled w fluff of what he planned for you guys?? thank u angel

Hi bb!! Sorry that I’m posting this so late ;___; a lot of things happened already but I do hope you enjoy this one!! 

-

“I don’t know…. My week is packed already babe. Even on weekends, you know that.” You replied tiredly as you turn off your laptop. Sangdo walked towards you and rubbed your shoulders.

“I know… I just really want you to be with me. Can you give me at least your Saturday?” He begged.

You have a report to be passed on Monday and you’re not even half way through it. Spending your whole Saturday with him would mean wasting a day of completing your report. But it is rare of Sangdo to ask you to come with him to his schedule. Especially since he’s an idol, bringing a girlfriend with him is a big no-no.

“Alright, I’ll clear my Saturday for you.”

“Really?!!! I’m so happy I could give you a full massage now.” He exclaimed happily. He gave you a kiss on the top of your head before leading you to the bed. Sangdo looked really glad that you agreed you dare not to think of your unfinished work.

Saturday came and you woke up to the smell of brewed coffee and bacon. Your hand automatically moved to the right side of the bed only to find it empty.

Yup, Sangdo is already up and cooking breakfast. You checked the clock and it said 6:45am. Usually Sangdo is still sound asleep at this time but today is his supposedly “big day” he probably didn’t get enough sleep last night.

“Babe you’re up early.” You greeted him as you help yourself with the bacons on the table.

“Of course, we’re leaving at 9am.” He said happily as he shove a cup of coffee on your hands. You just nodded at him while stuffing yourself with the rest of the food he prepared. Sangdo doesn’t cook that much but when does, it’s really really damn good.

Then it hit you that you don’t even know where you’re going.

“Where are we going anyway?” You asked.

“It’s a secret.” He was smiling cheekily while enjoying his food so you didn’t push it already. Anyway, wherever it is you are sure to have fun with him.

————————–“Are we dropping off your company first?” You asked him. He just shook his head without looking at you. You sighed and just turned your head to the busy street outside. It’s impossible to make a conversation with him when he’s driving.

Without realizing, you drifted into a long nap, which isn’t surprising because you woke up before 7am. But what surprised you is waking up at Lotte World’s parking lot.

“Babe!!!! What are we doing here?!”

He just answered you with a chuckle while guiding your groggy self out of the car.

“Well, you once told me you haven’t been to Lotte World yet, and I think it’s very sad so…” He brought out matching mickey mouse headbands from his backpack and wore it on his head and yours.

“Seriously? Mickey mouse ears on Lotte World?” It’s one of those rare moments when Sangdo is just full of surprises.

“Next year I’ll take you to Disneyland.” He muttered casually. You just smiled weakly but Sangdo planning your future getaways never fails to make your hearbeat skip.

————————–

You’ve tried every ride in the park including the one for kids. You were having the time of your life you didn’t even once think of your unfinished report at home. When you finally decided to rest, it was already 5pm.

“I can’t even feel my legs!” You complained when you finally stopped at one of the park benches. Sangdo just laughed at you while he tries to untangle your already frizzy hair.

“Thank you, babe. If it wasn’t for you, this fully grown woman won’t even dream of seeing Lotte World.”

“I’m glad you had fun. And I think I should get us some drinks. You really look like you need one.” He gave you one last pat on the head before going. You were about to doze off again when a kid passed you a note. Before you can say something, he ran back to his mom.

Without opening the note, you closed your eyes again only to be bothered by another kid with another note.

You shook your head and opened the notes.

“ME?… WILL…?” You clicked your tongue in annoyance. Your head is still spinning from the extreme ride you last tried and so not in the mood to play with the kids. You crumpled the paper and was about to throw them away when 2 kids approached you again. Each with a note on their hand.

“Who the heck is asking you to annoy me?” You said almost screaming. The kids ran away and Sangdo came with a drink on his hand.

“Babe? Why are you screaming at the kids?” He asked.

“Random kids are trying to piss me off by giving me random notes!” You opened the last two notes that read

“YOU and MARRY” You pursed your lips as you slowly put all the words together kn your head. You uncrumple the other 2 papers and laid them side by side on the bench. And alas, it read

“WILL YOU MARRY ME?” Before you can read it aloud, Sangdo already said it behind you. You turned to him teary eyed, with frizzy hair and with a very dry throat.

He reached for his pocket and presented you a ring with a small heart shaped diamond ring.

“But babe, before I say yes….” Sangdo’s face changed as he wait for your sentence to finish. The worry on his face is priceless and it makes you wanna kiss him right there and then.

“Before I say yes….. Can I have a drink? I’m really thirsty.” He let out a nervous laugh before handing you the soda. He just stood there awkwardly with the ring clutched on his fist.

You placed the drink on the bench and throw yourself to him.

“Yes!!! Yes, I will!!!” You screamed on his ears. You were both laughing and crying and everyone was watching you, taking photos and clapping their hands.

You broke the hug and allowed him to slip the ring on your finger.

“So, do you think my wife is ready for next year’s Disneyland?” He asked you.

[lady-une]

Chapter 5

A/N: Man I really do hope those who read this actually enjoy it. Like I live for people thoughts of my work so please let me know. Even if you just drop your thoughts in an Anon ask. But anyways. Big thanks as always to my beta @tears-of-orphans. Also big thanks to @nemesyis for helping me with my word fart earlier. Enjoy.

Sarah

I woke up to my alarm going off around 9am. I felt so refreshed, whether it was because I was able to sleep in past 6am or because I had one of the best orgasms in a long time last night. Either way it didn’t matter and I was more than ready to take on this day. I threw on my shirt and grabbed my toy and some clean clothes. While I was letting the water warm up I made sure to wash my toy clean and to take the batteries out. The stylist was going to be here at 10 to go over what ideas I had and then we would head off to the salon and to go buy some clothes. I still wasn’t 100% sure what I was really going for but since I had been sporting the same hair cut for years I was ready for a change. After I was dressed I made sure to strip my bedding and throw them in the wash, there was no need to sleep on dirty sheets. With that out of the way I went and made myself a small breakfast.

 Just as I was hanging up the sheets I heard the doorbell going off. I went to answer the door and stepped in this older looking woman who looked like she was ready to take on the world one piece of clothing at a time. We introduced ourselves and I showed her to the couch and offered her a drink. As we sat drinking our coffee she asked me what I was thinking of.

 “I’m not really sure. I don’t want to do any crazy changes but I am just sick of this blah me. Does that make sense?”

“Of course it does, so I take it you just want maybe a little more edge to your current look or maybe a little sultry mystery?”

 “I just don’t want to be seen as a child. Since I’m here doing this I want to be taken serious. I want people to see me as a woman or they might just brush off my music. I don’t want people saying I can’t stand with the guys because I look like some little kpop child.”

“Say no more I have just the right idea for you. Let’s head down to the salon, shall we?”

 The salon she took me to was very edgy with some EDM music playing, I really didn’t imagine this place at all. I figured we were going to an upscale salon that would cost a fortune but to be honest I felt more comfortable here then I would have at any upscale place. I was shown to a chair and introduced to the hair stylist that would be working with me. My hair was pretty curly naturally and was pretty long and didn’t always like to listen to what I needed it to do. So today we would be doing a relaxation treatment, cutting off some of it so that it would come to my shoulder blade and adding layers. We also decided to go darker with my hair since it was pretty light from the sun I got back home.

 After a few hours of working on my hair done we were finally done and I felt so much lighter from cutting off so much hair. When I asked how much it would be I was told not to worry about it. I shrugged my shoulders and thanked them. Next we were off to some stores to buy some clothes and when she showed me the stores we would be going to I tried to back her off and suggest we find some place a little more doable for the money I had. She told me I need not worry as Jay was fronting the bill for this and I was to get everything I needed. I wanted to argue and reached for my phone but she stopped me and told me to just go with it. I still didn’t like the idea but figured he knew what was best and it’s not like the clothes I had brought with me were really appropriate to wear around the guys when we were going out. The rest of the day was going in and out of shops getting pants, shirts, jackets, dresses, and even new undergarments. I have never spent so much time or bought so many pieces of clothing as I did today. She even took me to get accessories including shoes and purses. By the time we got back to the apartment it was late and we had actually grabbed some food on the way there. She helped me unload all the bags and we sat down to eat our dinner.

 “So Sarah, are you enjoying it?”

“It?”

“Yes the new change in scenery and actually doing music?”

“Oh. Yeah I am loving it. I have always wanted to come here and music has always been a passion of mine. If it wasn’t for Jay I probably would just be back home with my dad running the club.”

“I really hope things work out here for you, I like you and I feel like you would do some amazing things here. I just hope that the industry doesn’t swallow you up. You’re a good kid and the industry can be pretty dark and tends to chew kids up and spit them out. Just fallow what the guys say and I’m sure they will take care of you.”

Our chit chat turned towards clothes and what I should wear with certain events. My phone was vibrating while we talked and I opened it to find a text from Loco saying that I should come out as they were all going to go out for drinks and to do some dancing. I couldn’t believe that they were going back out after having gone out the night before. Just before I sent another rejection I stopped myself and thought maybe this would be a good time to show them the new me. I asked my new friend what I should wear and she helped me pick out the perfect outfit. She had me in some skin tight black jeans that hugged my body showing off my curves in all their glory. The shirt she had me in wasn’t really much of a shirt as it was a see through top and she had me wearing a tank top under it. She topped it off with a jean jacket and had me wearing some heeled timberland boots. I sent a text saying I was on my way and she dropped me off on her way home.

I arrived at the club and Loco said to just go up to the bouncer and give my name as they would be waiting in the VIP section for me. I did as I was instructed and the bouncer had someone escort me to the guys. They were all laughing and taking pictures and just having fun.

 “Did I miss anything today?”

 Gray and Loco looked up at me while Jay was still lost in his phone.

 “God damn Sarah!”

“What you don’t like it Gray?”

“No I do, you look amazing! I love the new hair and the new clothes are just WOW!”

 I walked over and sat down in between Gray and Loco. Gray was all smiles while Loco looked confused.

 “What’s wrong Loco?”

“Nothing, it’s just you really are all grown up. But you will always be our Princess.”

 He acted as if he was crying and wiped away his imaginary tears from his eyes. We all laughed at his horrible acting and I grabbed onto his arm leaning my head on it.

 “Don’t worry Oppa, I will always be your little princess.”

 I tried to give him my best impression of a high school girl but I could tell he wasn’t buying as he pushed me away. I laughed and reached for the drinks on the table ready to have myself a shot. I looked up at Jay who was watching me over his phone.

 “Don’t you like it Jay?”

“As long as you like it. I was half expecting you to come back with some crazy colored hair or something.”

“No, I just wanted a little change. Like an upgrade to what I already had. I didn’t want to make any big changes.”

Jay gave me a smile and leaned over to talk to Chase who was sitting next to him. I grabbed myself a drink and shot it down quickly. I sat back and put my head on Gray’s shoulder.

 “So am I allowed to dance or do I have to stay up here with you guys?”

“No go ahead, we will all be up here if you need anything.”

 I smiled up at him and then jumped up heading towards the dance floor. This was the first time in a long time being in a club outside of the one I worked at. It was nice to be able to just be me, a normal person and not an employee.

 The DJ was playing some really good music and it was easy to move my body to the beat and just enjoy myself. A remix of Solo came on and the club went insane. It was a fun song to dance to with people singing along with it. I was closing my eyes and swinging my hips to the beat and getting low in some spots. I felt someone come up behind me and I turned around to see a rather attractive guy smiling back at me. He was tall and had a great build on him and he was dressed in some very nice clothes. I smiled back at him and let him lead the dance. He put his knee in between my legs and we began to sway to the music. His grip on me would get lower but would always come back up to my hip. I smiled at him because I knew he was trying to get a feel of my ass. I started to pull away and his face fell a bit but I only pulled away to turn my back to him and to lean back onto him as we continued our dance. His hand came back to my hip holding me close to him as he grinded his crotch into me. I couldn’t help myself and I pushed my ass back into him. He took that as a go ahead and started to let his hands roam. His hand slowly made its way across my stomach before going back to my hip and then slowly going down my thigh before making its way back up but this time on the inside of my thigh. I moved his hand back to the outside and allowed him to continue to explore.

 Jay

After Sarah left to go dance I waited a little bit before standing and going to the railing that overlooked the dance floor. I watched her work her way into the crowd and lose herself to the music. I smiled as I watched her enjoy herself. She really did look sexy as hell and it worried me a little bit to let her go but she was a big girl and was more than capable of handling herself.

 “She has some good moves.”

 I looked up to see Gray standing next to me.

 “Yeah she does. It will be interesting to see her perform.”

“Oh looks like she already has a fan.”

 Gray pointed towards a guy who was currently making a b line for her. I watched as the guy danced right up to her and then watched her turn around to smile at him. The two were dancing very seductively, she was clearly enjoying the reaction she was getting from him.

 “Oh looks like he has some wandering hands.”

 I wasn’t even watching what the guy was doing as I was so focused on Sarah’s face. Watching her close her eyes and smiling. I envied that guy, I wanted to be down there with her. I turned my attention to the guy who was trying to be sly about feeling her up. I smiled when I saw Sarah pull away, she must have caught on to. What I wasn’t expecting was her to lean back into him and continue dancing. The grip I had on the hand rail became stronger. I didn’t envy him anymore, now I just wanted to rip his hands from his body.

 “Yaa Jay I don’t like this guy, his hands are all over her.”

 Gray was right this guy kept trying to run his hands on the inside of her thigh clearly trying to cop a feel of her sex.

 “I don’t like this guy either.”

 I was just about ready to go rip him away from Sarah when I hear Gray curse and then he was gone. He was going down the stairs quickly and not caring that he was being rough with making his way to the crowd. Gray had enough of this guy and was doing something before I even had a chance. I watched as Gray made his way to Sarah and pulled her from the grabby guys hands. I saw him get up in the guy’s face but couldn’t read his lips. Sarah was trying to push him away from the guy clearly trying to deescalate the situation before Gray did something. Sarah then stood in-between the guys and put her arms around Gray’s waste and pushed him back. Gray looked down at her and smiled before putting his arms around her.

 Why can’t that be me?

 I thought as I watched the two laugh as she tried to get Gray to dance with her. She wasn’t dancing seductively instead her dancing was stupid and silly trying to make Gray laugh and she was succeeding. Gray had thrown his head back and was laughing at something she had said. I couldn’t stand there watching the two and went back to sit next to Chase.

 Sarah

 Once I had Gray laughing I grabbed his hand and laced our fingers together and lead the way back up to the rest of the gang. I knew that guy was getting handsy and I totally could have handled it on my own but before I could do anything Gray was right there getting in the guy’s face. Once we reached the spot where the guys were Gray dropped my hand and threw his arm around my shoulder as we walked over to the guys.

 “So Sarah here isn’t allowed to dance alone anymore.”

 I scoffed at him.

 “Excuse me?”

“Well look what happens when you do.”

 I rolled my eyes at him.

 “I can handle myself and would have but you got in there before I could.”

“I am not saying you can’t dance, but just dance with us or we can call one of the girls down and you can all dance together.”

“I think I will do what I want. Right now I want another drink.”

 I walked out of Gray’s arm and sat down next to Loco who was on his phone and grabbed myself another shot. I wasn’t some child and these guys needed to understand it. For the next couple of hours we spent the night talking about music and drinking. I was about 4 shots in and decided I wanted to dance again and was trying to make my way to the stairs but Jay jumped up.

  “Nope not happening.”

“But I wanna dance.”

“Then dance up here.”

“Will you dance with me?”

 I smiled up at Jay who looked like I had just asked him how to cure cancer. I grabbed one of his hands and with my free hand I put is on his shoulder.

 “It’s called dancing where we move our bodies to the music, like this.”

 Jay was still standing there and I was trying to get him to dance with me. After a few more seconds of moving I saw a switch go off in his eyes and he was finally moving his body. He pulled me closer to him and started to sing along to the song that was currently playing. I kept trying to lower my face because looking in his eyes as he sang to me was turning me on. Every time I tried to look down his hand would come to my face lifting it to look back at him. The beat started to pick up and he turned me around but kept one of my arms around his neck and he lowered his face closer to my ear while both of his hands were on my hips guiding them to the beat. Either the booze or the fact that I could feel his breath on my neck and he was whispering the lyrics in my ear I was losing control of my body and having a hard time keeping up with the beat. My breath was picking up and I had to close my eyes to keep from moaning when I felt him get even closer to me and his grip grew tighter as he pulled me flush against him. I almost lost my balance with how quickly he pulled me in but he dropped one arm while the other went around my waist. We were completely flush against each other which wasn’t helping my breathing at all or my train of thought. The booze must have finally gotten to me because I could have sworn I felt something against my ass and heard him break from the lyrics to say something under his breath.

 “What?”

 I asked and he stepped back letting me go and said he had to go to the bathroom. I was left there shocked and left wondering what he had said. I wasn’t able to think much on it as Loco called me back to the couch.

 “Sarah I think it’s time to switch you back to water.”

  I agreed and took the water bottle he had offered me. I drank about half of the water when Jay had returned finally and realized I need to go to the bathroom as well. I stood up too quickly and felt myself sway a little on my feet.

  “Hold on there.”

 Gray stood to brace me and keep me up straight.

 “I think it’s time you went home Princess.”

“Yeah but first little girls room.”

 Gray grabbed me by the arm and was helping me down the stairs while the rest of the guys called for their sober driver.

 “Can you handle this on your own?”

 I looked up at Gray and laughed pinching his cheeks.

 “Of course I can Oppa, I am a big girl and don’t need your help with going tinkle.”

 Gray laughed as he let go of my arm allowing me to escape to the bathroom. After I handled my business I went to wash my hands and splashed some water on my face trying to sober up. It didn’t help at all. I walked back out to see Gray still there waiting for me.

 “Come on lets you get you out of here. Jay is in the car waiting for you.”

 I was lead out of the club and to the car and put in the backseat with Jay. I didn’t see Jay drinking that much and he was more sober then I was.

 “Have fun tonight Sarah?”

“Oh yah tones of fun.”

 I yawned and felt my head fall to his shoulder and my eyes close. I felt him try and shake me but I couldn’t open my eyes. I was beyond tired from drinking. I opened my eyes when I felt him lift me up.

  “No don’t I can walk.”

“Stop squirming. I doubt you can actually walk since you can’t even keep your eyes open.”

 He had a point, I was trying really hard to keep my eyes open but they kept closing as if they had a mind of their own. I felt him lay me on my bed and take my shoes off along with my top shirt and socks.

 “Wait here.”

“Not going anywhere.”

 I opened up my eyes as best as I could as I saw him leave the room. I felt super uncomfortable in these pants and my bra. I laid on my bed unbuttoning my pants and pulling them off with me and then tried to sit up to take my bra off. It took me a couple of tries to stay up straight enough to actually undo it and take it off while I had my tank top off. I was starting to get super frustrated with the fact that I couldn’t do this.

  “God damn it.”

“Sarah what are you doing?”

 I looked at Jay in my doorway as I sat there in my bed well more like laid sideways on my bed.

 “Jay I can’t get this fucking thing off. It’s trying to strangle me.”

 I had gotten the damn thing unclasped but got stuck somehow with getting my arms out of it but keeping my shirt on.

 “Umm...let me help you.”

  Jay walked over setting down a pill bottle and some water on my night stand, then helped me untangle myself from the damn bra and tank top straps. Once I was untangled he helped me get the thing off while keeping my shirt on.

 “Oh my god thank you, that thing wanted to kill me.”

“Sure it did. Let’s get you in bed.”

 Jay help me lay back and pulled the blanket out from under me to cover me up. It was then I realized that I was only in my tank and panties.

  “Oh um sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it. Get some sleep Sarah.”

 I grabbed onto his arm and stopped him.

  “Can you stay until I fall asleep?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Please it won’t take me long.”

“I….it’s just not a good idea.”

“Please?”

 Jay sighed and told me to move over. I rolled over and made room for him as he laid on top of the covers.

 “Just until you fall asleep.”

“Yeah.”

 I rolled over so that I was facing him as he laid there with his arms behind his head looking up at the ceiling. I smiled and closed my eyes letting myself drift off to sleep.

  Jay

 I have no idea why I agreed to this. I laid there listening to her breathing as she slowly fell asleep. I knew I should get up but couldn’t make myself move, I stayed there in her bed listening to her sleep. I turned my head and smiled at her as I watched her, with her mouth parted a little bit allowing some little snores to escape her mouth. I turned back to look at the ceiling and let my eyes close.

 Just a few minutes and I will go back to my bed.

 I told myself as I laid there.

 My phone going off in the distance woke me up. I slowly opened my eyes to see Sarah’s messy hair.

 Shit.

 I tried to not move and wake her while I assessed the current situation. I wasn’t laying on my back anymore. Instead I was laying on my side and Sarah was wrapped around me with her limbs. I had her wrapped in my arms with one of her legs hitched on my hip and one of mine in between hers. I was trying to think of how to get out of this without waking her but the scent from her hair along with the none stop ringing of my phone was making it hard to think. I felt her stir in my arms as she tried to burrow deeper into my chest. I needed to get out of there quickly before she wakes up fully. I didn’t want her to be uncomfortable as she was still in nothing but her tank top and panties, clearly she isn’t a fan of blankets having kicked hers off. With the continuation of the phone going off had stirred her enough to roll away from me.

 “Hua fucking answer your phone I’m trying to sleep.”

 With my freedom, I slowly rolled away from her and off the bed. Taking each step as quietly as I could out of the room before closing the door. I went back to the kitchen where I had discarded my jacket the night before and grabbed the ever annoying phone, it was Chase.

 “Hello?”

“Jay where are you? You were supposed to be here hours ago to go over Sik’s new song.”

 I pulled the phone away from my face to see it was 10am.

 “Fuck. Ok let me change and I will be on my way.”

 I ran back to my room and changed my clothes tossing on whatever my hands touched not caring what I looked like before grabbing my wallet and keys. On my way out the door I sent Sarah a quick text.

 Jay: Sarah, if you are feeling up to it come down to the studio or just hang out at home today.

 With Loco and Gray’s song that she was on being done I wanted to go over some things with her before we got set to release the music.

  Sarah

Fuck my life.

 I rolled onto my back throwing my arm to cover my eyes in hopes that it would stop the world from spinning. My mouth felt dry and my stomach felt like it was ready to take its revenge on me. I needed a shower and some greasy food asap. I slowly as to not awaken the hangover beast inside me rolled out of my bed. I grabbed a towel and robe before heading off to the bathroom. The only noise in the apartment was being caused by me so I figured Jay had left for the day. I turned the shower on and looked at myself in the mirror. My hair was a mess and I had panda eyes from my makeup. I brought my hand up to run my fingers threw my hair and that’s when I smelt it. It was faint but still there, it was the same smell of Jay’s cologne. I brought some of my hair to my nose to smell it and then pulled my tank to my nose.

 What the actual fuck?

 I ran the events of last night threw my head as I stripped my clothes off. I remembered being at the club and then going home. I remember Jay carrying me upstairs and placing me in my bed and I remember asking him to stay.

 “Oh fuck.”

 I said out loud. Where had I gotten the courage to ask him that because sober me would never had asked that of him. Yeah I’m a big snuggler but never with a guy I actually had a crush on. I shook my head to rid my thoughts, 100% sure Jay had probably left as soon as I was asleep. I mean why on earth would he even stay? I finished washing myself and dried off before put on my robe and leaving the bathroom. I walked into my room and looked for my phone, once I found it I saw a text to Jay. Yeah I felt icky but once I got some water and food in me I would feel better so I sent him a quick reply.

 Sarah: I’m going to grab some food and then head to the studio. Do you guys want anything?

 As I waited for his response I put my phone on the charger and got dressed. Opting for some comfy clothes of leggings and an oversized shirt and jean jacket. As I was drying my hair I heard my phone go off and figured Jay had finally replied back. Once I was ready I grabbed my phone and saw that he did reply back.

 Jay: No we are good.

 I opted for something quick and not heavy on stomach to eat as I took a cab to the studio. Days like today made me miss my bike. It would be useless to get one here since I wasn’t sure how long I would actually be here and I still wasn’t use to the streets. With food in my stomach and a bottle of water I was feeling much better, not 100% but enough to function.

 I arrived at the studio and went to the usual room we all worked in. I walked in to see Gray and Chase working on some beats and Loco sitting on the couch messing with his phone.

 “Hey guys.”

 Gray and Chase gave me a head nod but went back to what they were doing. Loco patted the couch next to him signaling me to come sit with him, I plopped down on the couch with a big exhale of air.

 “Good morning sleeping beauty, how is your afternoon?”

“Blah, I’m still kind of sleepy but I’m here so there is that.”

 Loco laughed and grabbed one of the throw pillows putting it in his lap.

 “Lay down and relax. Jay is in the other room with Sik going over some stuff. You two got a pretty late start today.”

 I looked up at him with a questioning look as I laid down on the couch resting my head on the pillow.

 “Jay was late?”

“3 hours late to be exact. What did you two do when you left that made our punctual CEO late to work?”

“Nothing. We went right home and right to bed. Maybe you guys should stop dragging him out at night and actually let him get some sleep.”

 I closed my eyes and crossed my arms over my chest. He must have been tired after everything going on for him to be late. I tried not to think about it too much as I listened to the beat they were working on. It was slow and had a bit of sexiness mixed in with sadness, as if the beat was talking about a past lover that it missed. Even without lyrics I could picture a couple happy and in love smiling at each other but it then transformed to a man sitting on his empty bed with his head in his hands. Broken picture frames with pictures of the couple littered the bedroom floor. Gone was the smiling couple and left was a broken man filled with regrets. He lifted his head up to scan the room only to notice all of her clothes were gone from the shared dresser. Just as the beat was coming to a crescendo the man stands only to turn around and flip the mattress off the bed. I couldn’t help but let tears escape my eyes as what I was visioning in my head.

 “Hey Sarah you ok?”

 I opened my eyes to look up at Loco and gave him a smile. He responded by wiping away my tears.

 “Then what’s with the tears?”

 The beat stopped and I looked over at Gray and Chase.

 “What I’m fine. That’s a good beat, it just really got to me.”

“It’s just a beat. What came to mind when you were listening to it?”

 I rolled over to face Gray and Loco draped his arm over my stomach. I snuggled deeper into the couch enjoying the comfort that Loco gave off, it was nice to have while I explained what I had pictured while I listened to the beat.

 “Interesting. We weren’t really sure where we were going to go with it, but what you explained could fit well with the beat. The beat could change as we are still developing it but I really like where your head is going with this. Technically we could give this off to one of the guys or we could even shoot this to Hoody to see if she can come up with anything.”

 I smiled at Gray happy that I was actually contributing more to this then just my voice. If they needed lyrics I had a notebook full of them. Thoughts of using my lyrics on a song filled my head as I listened to them work on the beat more.

 It was pretty late when Jay finally came into the room. I was still laying with my head in Loco’s lap singing along to our song we had playing in the room. We were just having fun and being lazy at the same time.

 “Sorry guys. It’s pretty late and I still have stuff to work on here. Do you guys have anything to work on? I know I was supposed to go over stuff with you Sarah but we can just do that tomorrow at home since no one will be here tomorrow.”

 Chase was the only one who had stuff to work on so he staid back. Gray and Loco offered to give me a drive back to the apartment since it was late. As we were walking to the car I suggested why not just grab some food and head back to the apartment to watch a movie. The guys were more than happy to hang out and we stopped off to grab some snacks and pizza, they wanted to grab some drinks but I shot that down telling them to give their liver a break for once. Once we got back to the apartment we moved the coffee table out of the way to make room and grabbed some blankets and pillows laying them out.

 “Wow I haven’t had a night like this since I was little.”

 I smiled at Loco, I didn’t doubt that. Once we got everything all set we brought some water and pizza over to where we were sitting and put on a movie. We ate while we watched a comedy and just enjoyed our time together not having a care in the world. Once the movie was over with we cleaned up the garbage and turned the lights off to get in the mood for a good scary movie I sat in the middle of the boys and enjoyed them taking turns scaring me. I really loved horror movies and the adrenaline rush it gave you when you were scared. Around the second movie we all transitioned from sitting up to laying back against the couch using the pillows to prop us up. I tried my best to keep my eyes open but it was no use and I felt my head fall back as my eyes closed.

 Gray

I watched Sarah out of the corner of my eyes try and fight to stay awake but eventually she lost out. I sat forward and looked to Loco who had at some point laid out on his stomach and fell asleep, I called out his name but only got some snores in response. I looked at back at Sarah and knew if I let her stay that way she would be hurting in the morning. I gently lifted her head and helped her adjust to laying down with her head on the pillow and grabbed the blanket and tried to lay it over the three of us but Loco was too far away that it didn’t cover him. I tossed another one over him so that he wouldn’t get cold before I laid myself down on the ground and turned towards Sarah watching her sleep. I will admit I was the only one who was against her coming back with us only because I didn’t want her to get her hopes up of succeeding. Jay was right and she was amazing but I still worried about how things would play out once the fans heard her and eventually finding out that she isn’t Korean. Whatever happens I knew I would stay by her side and help her accomplish anything she wanted. I couldn’t really put my finger on when this happened but I found myself being drawn to her. Last night when I saw her come into the club in her new look I wanted to swoop her up in my arms and not let anyone near her. She looked gorgeous, she was still our Sarah but she had a sexy air about her. I kept my feelings in and didn’t let them out but the minute I saw her on the dance floor with that guy’s hands on her I lost all train of thought. It wasn’t my place to stop her from dancing with a guy but it would be a cold day in hell before I let any man touch her that way.

  I smiled at and brushed some hair out of her face causing her to smile and let a little moan escape her mouth. That one little moan that wasn’t meant to be sexual in anyway went straight to my dick waking it up. It’s been months since I was with anyone and even with all the girls here none of them could hold a light to her. I crossed my arms behind my head and just looked up at the ceiling trying to rid these indecent thoughts from my head. Just as I was closing my eyes I felt something land on my chest, my eyes shot open to see that Sarah had moved closer to me and had put her head on my chest using it as a pillow. The scent of her shampoo filled my nose causing me to close my eyes and a hand went below the blanket to try and adjust my ever growing dick. Now was so not the time for a hard on. I wrapped my free arm around Sarah holding her closer to me and felt her toss a leg up on me brushing my dick while she adjusted herself into a comfortable position. I held back my moan and clamped my eyes shut trying to recite the Korean Anthem in my head. With her comfortably laying in my arms I felt my dick relax and I let a sigh of relief out. I closed my eyes and thought of how much I wish I could keep her right here in my arms.

 Jay

I slowly dragged myself to my door and put in my passcode to unlock the door. Today had been a fucking long ass day. It was almost 2am and I was so happy to have tomorrow off, all I really wanted to do was just lay around the house doing nothing. I walked through my door and kicked off my shoes. All the lights were off in the apartment leaving it in darkness except for the glow coming from the TV. I saw Loco laid out on my floor under a blanket and then saw the back of Gray also laying on the floor under a blanket. I didn’t see Sarah and figured she must be in her room sleeping. Before I woke the guys up I went to her room to check in on her but when I opened her door she wasn’t there, her bed looked untouched. I walked past the empty bathroom and checked my room and that was empty as well. I made my way back to the living thinking my sleepy brain missed her on the couch but she wasn’t there. As I got closer to the guys on the floor I noticed a lump under Gray’s blanket move. I stopped in my tracks as the blanket was moved out of the way to reveal Sarah laying in Gray’s arms. I felt like I was just kicked in the gut at what I was seeing. I couldn’t move and just watched the two of them laying in each other’s arms both sleeping without a care in the world. I felt anger build up inside me. It’s my arms that she should be in not his. I walked up to the two sleeping forms and pulled the blanket away from Sarah causing Gray to wake up.

 “Hey Jay when did you get here?”

 I didn’t say anything and moved Gray’s arm away from her while gathering her in mine.

 “Dude just let her be, you’re going to wake her.”

“No. If she sleeps here she will get sick. Why would you think its ok for her to sleep like this?”

 I left Gray on the floor yawning and stretching out as I carried her to her room and laid her in her bed covering her up. I tried to be gentle but she woke for a brief moment.

 “Jay?”

“Yeah it’s me, go back to sleep it’s still really late.”

 I brushed some hair out of her face as she nuzzled her face into my hand letting out a soft purring sound. I smiled at how she reacted to me. I only ever wanted her to react this way with me and no other man. I pulled my hand away from her sleeping form and left her room closing the door before heading back to the living room. Gray was now a wake and sitting on the couch.

 “Dude what gives? You could have left her here, it’s not like she will get sick. I had a blanket over her.”

“It’s late, if you want you can crash here or whatever. I’m fucking exhausted so I’m going to bed.”

 I turned and left Gray there, I was in no mood to talk with him about this. All I wanted now was my bed since I knew Sarah was in her bed ALONE.

NEXT CHAPTER

[nepalprojects-blog]

Outreach in remote Nepal

I got up at 6.45 today a bit worried that the power bank I borrowed wasn’t fully charged. It ended up full ten min after breakfast. I left to go to the prayer house, to join in with daily devotions on song of songs. At the end of it kwe prayed for each others days needs and then I filled up a water bottle and left. I just got to the corner of the road and there I met Amos and his wife Ruth. Ruth did not waste any time but prayed for me straight away, telling her husband to join in too. To get some appropriate change for the bus to Charabhill I bought some bananas for 40 rupees. Today starts a 24 hour bus ride to sankhuwasabha. I caught the bus to meet Santana at 11am outside medicare hospital. At nearly 2pm we actually get on the bus. I guess that’s how it works here… Wednesday

We had some stunning views from the bus yesterday, but this morning at 6.45 it is still foggy, and not much can be seen. We have been driving all through the night, and I am very impressed with the driver. The road is getting narrower but he navigate the road fast and safe. Which I am glad about, because some of the drops of the road are seriously steep and deep. Strangely, despite the fact that this area is already quite remote, things are a bit more sophisticated and cleaner here somehow.  13.32 and there bus ride has finally finished. We have checked in to a hotel where there is building work going on and Sanata has been apologizing, but to be honest I don’t mind. I just thought we might get the room a bit cheaper. I did expect to be on the bus till evening, so we’re all good. After a quick wash and something to eat we pay a local pastor of Khandbari, the capital of the district Sankhuwasabha, a visit. Just as we finished praying at the local pastors house a thunder and lightning storm started with heavy rain, so we were stuck there, so we just chill out, 5or six of is in a small bedroom that is nothing more than a sturdy timber game classed with tin. His whole house was just a small timber frame cladded with tin really. We waited until the worst of the rain was over and walked back to the hotel. When we got back to the hotel there was no electrical power. The military had dropped a big tree they were moving on the power-line. The next day I woke up early, this morning not because of barking dogs but because of men working on the hotel. It is a building site… Another local pastors has arrived at the hotel to get some instruction on how to use the projector to show the Jesus film. Without power that causes a bit of a delay. Something which is  just part of daily live here. Nobody is particularly worried. However, the memory card with the film that is supposed to be in the projector is missing, the pastor that Sanata is training thinks he has the film on his phone but this turns out not to be right either, so sanata has to go out and buy a memory card and call the son of the man we visited last night,  he turns up with a PC under his arm, and uses the projects instead of a monitor. At about 10.30 we finally finished breakfast and leave to set out on or journey, which starts with a half hour ride by tuk-tuk to the bus station, where we pay for a 4x4, taking us high up in the hills to our next stop, we ascent by foot deep down the valley, right down across a big river which is starting to swell, On the other side we have to go back up to the top of the next hill. Sanata tells me, a dam in China has broken through, which is why all the workers just came away from the bridge running up the step path.  Sita isn’t  very well with the walk, so the going is slow and we arrive at the church where we are meant to be, about 2 hours late, and by this time it is very dark. After short introductions, I then  end up teaching the pastors of this little church how to set up the projector to show the Jesus film, which has been translated in Nepalese. This is actually a very effective way of sharing the gospel. In the morning that follows, Sanata teaches that church is not a building but people. Where two or more are gathered in my name, there I will be also, Jesus taught. His second subject, was that every believer s should share the gospel with his friends and neighbours. I did not know he wanted to speak about this but the day before he did ask me to share something, and as I considered what to speak about, the Holy spirit put the same subject on my heart , so I shared some of my testimony and shared on the subject. We had some Dahl bat with meat and then we stated or journey for the day, at about 10 am. What should have been a walk of about 5 hours took us most of the day, because Sita can’t keep up, besides on the way we stop by an underground spring where people are washing to share the gospel with somebody, and also to pray for several people and give out medication. I gave Sanata £45 to buy it before we left Katmandu. By the wayning of day which is at about 6 we cross the 4th and last bridge and this one is made of slender trees. The steel bridge that was here before has been destroyed by a swell of the river. I insisted to have a wash in the stream before I carried on the last half an hour of the walk, because I haven’t had a wash for two days and with such hard walking I really need one by now. By the time I finished it is pitch dark and I have to catch up with Sita and Sanata up a very steep climb. I just about manage to find the track by the light of my head torch, but it is well worth the effort for having a wash in a stream. Finally we arrive at Sanata’s parents house,we introduce ourselves have some food, consisting of millet cakes, some sort of root which Sanata’s brother has dug deep out of the ground specially for us, and salty tea. Salty tea is weird yes, but trust me, salty tea is really nice after this long climb. At about 10 we go sound asleep on the hard floor of the little house, well not directly on the floor I have a straw mat and the high honor of a nice rug. The following morning we wake up at about 5.30 the chock has been crowing for a while, and have some more of the strange tea, at about 9am church starts which we reach by walking up another small mountain track. I keep wondering who could possibly have had the strength and time to make these tracks. Most of then are like proper stairs obviously weathered over time, made up of bigger and smaller pieces of rock, but some of the rocks are pretty big. One huge rock actually had steps carved into it. Most of the church service I cannot understand at all again, and Sanata asks me to speak again. This time I explain that God had asked me to return to Nepal because his heart is breaking for the people of Nepal and respond to the situation I experience at hand, and teach that we cannot please God with long prayers and trying to be good Christians or keeping the ten commandments, but that Jesus died for us when we were still enemy’s of God. And that God longs to spend time with us personally and that faith is what pleases him. Sanata follows up by explaining a bit more in detail. The church service is followed by praying for people, handing out some specs and medication to various people, including none believers. Sita has gone back down to Sanata’s mothers house, but me and Sanata have lunch at his sister’s, where I am given a woolen rug that is used for guests to sit on. I am told that if somebody is offered to sit on one of these it is considered a high honour. Back at Sanata’s parents house we have Nettle soup, rice and something else strange to eat. Sunday 23 April Man, live starts early in these parts. Sanata’s mum starts the fire not long after the cock crows. I must say that the cat tried to get me to get up not long before, miauwing and pawing my feet, though for the rest of our stay it completely ignores me, probably as I told it I wasn’t getting up yet, we still lie snoozing for a little while. We have some breakfast of popcorn and black soy beans and some other stuff, I can’t keep asking what I’m eating, and it might be better not to know everything.  After about 9am me and Sanata go and share the gospel with some people in the small village adjacent to the one where Sanata himself is from. We end up praying for the mother of a young woman, whom, the night before I asked the challenging question of why she was going to see the witch doctor with a large cock as payment… She already knows that Jesus heals! Now her mother is still badly I’ll with a fever. Before we prayed for her, her temperature was seriously high. I pray for her and for just a second feel the Holy Spirit move. About 5 min after praying for her, Sanata asks me if she has a fever, so I check her temperature again and this time she feels normal. My sceptic mind wonders if i am just imagening things… Sanata shares out some of the spectacles he had been given by a friend, we drink some “mountain dew” which politely I drink. We are given this everywhere we visit. We move on to the next house. Here lies one middle aged man seriously I’ll on his bed. He is drunk too, and by this time I get very grieved at the level of alcohol abuse in this remote place and wonder how they get it here. Anyway, me and Sanata pray for the man and at first nothing happens, then I have a word of knowledge that the man has pain every time food passes his esophagus. I shares this and the man confirms. We continue to pray and then I have a word of knowledge that he has serious trouble on the toilet and pain in his lowers abdomen. He confirms again and we pray. The holy Spirit tells me to give him two of my anti parasite tablets which are delivered to him the next day with clear instructions on how to use. We move on to the next house again and here it becomes clear how they keep up with the demand for alcohol. On a big bamboo mat is spread out a large quantity of millet that is fermenting, and one young woman is stirring it, she then mixes in some yeast and it is all put in a few large sealable drums. I wonder why the woman even bothers. Nearly every bloke here is in some state of drunkenness and by my standards she should be seriously fed up. Because I have asked what they are doing to all the stuff on the mat, I am offered some of this strange brew and I drink some. Partly because of curiosity to the taste, my fear of catching a stomach bug, and felt I felt the Holy Spirit tell me to accept. I would like to add that for the last 22 years I have drank only very occasionally and less than enough to become drunk. Sanata suddenly asks me to teach on the Abuse of alcohol so I share my testimony of how I became a Christian and after that I quite crudely tell them my idea of the general result of alcohol abuse on most or all men, while Sanata translates. We go back to Sanata’s parents house and on the way stop to talk to one man who asks me if it is true that a believer in Jesus will go to heaven when he dies. So I am sharing the gospel with him right down to explaining why there are things like disease and death. So, back to the start where Adam and Eve are created and the beginning if man’s sin. Back at Sanata’s parents house we rest and have some food, Sanata’s parents and brother have great fun by challenging me to eat some toad which turns out to be very, very tasty. I reasoned that after all they only live in water like fish do, so what is the difference? After that we get ray to leave the next day at 7. Sanata had planned to go to another could of villages, but because Sita is not able to do the walking he has cancelled that. We actually end u up leaving at 6.30 which is good because we need all the time we can get for daylight, so we start down the scarily steep ascend back down to the river. And cross the river after a shirt while walking me and Sanata go ahead of Sita, so we can have a good wash in the river Arun. We and or clothes are pretty dirty by this time, not having washed properly for days. By this time the sun is out and it starts to get very hot. When we are petty much finished, Sita crosses the bridge and we have agreed to catch up with her by the next stream after the crossing of the river Equa, so she can freshen up too. On the way back we have out more specs as we go and some basic medicine too. When we get to the stream where we are meant to meet up with Sita however, she is not there but eventually we catch up with her. On the way through the next village we pick up Sita’s bag from one of the local believers there which we had delivered there by the first church we visited on the way, because Sita was not able to carry the weight. After continuing downward for about an hour Sanata sees a 4x4 coming down the him on the other side of the Aqua river and he stress of down the him ahead of us to catch up with it so we can catch a ride back to Khandbari where we book in too a hotel for the night but this time there is no building site noise to same up to the next morning. What a shame!